La Rei, the flagship restaurant at Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, the five-star luxury resort in Serralunga d’Alba-Cuneo, Italy, has been awarded its first Michelin Star in the 2012 Michelin Guide to Italy. The prestigious Piemontese restaurant is amongst only 33 new restaurants in Italy that have been honored with a star this year.

The Michelin star is amongst the greatest honors to have been bestowed upon
Executive Chef Shiqin Chen. Chef Chen trained in the kitchens of Michelin starred dal Pescatore under the guidance of Nadia and Giovanni Santini, and cultivated ten years of experience alongside Gian Piero Vivalda of Antica Corona Reale da Renzo in Cevere, Italy, who now consults for La Rei. He now oversees a kitchen staff of 15, including up and coming chefs Marlene Puddu, Giovanni Spegis, and Antonio Coffaro, who have been individually recognized for their talents in the field.

Chef Chen's cuisine is a celebration of traditional Piemontese fare, elevated with the Chef's own innovative, creative execution. The dishes Chef Chen and his well-honed team serve to guests at La Rei are a salute to the abundance of luxury ingredients available in the region, including beautiful white and black truffles, hazelnuts, rice baraggia bielo.

The Michelin star is the newest honor to be bestowed upon La Rei, which has also received numerous other accolades including: the 2010 Golosaria Award as Best Hospitality in the category of Italian Charme; the 2011 News of the Year Award from Guida L’ESPRESSO; 2011 Best Restaurant from Bibenda Guida; 2011 Corona Radiosa Best Restaurant in Cuneo from Guida Critica Golosa, and 2012 Best Sommelier in Italy honoring Cellarmaster Matteo Toso from Guida L’ESPRESSO.

For more information about La Rei and the Il Boscareto Resort & Spa, visit the website at:http://www.ilboscaretoresort.it.