Massimo Vidoni, managing director and founder of Italtouch, holds an imported black truffle, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Vidoni’s business, Italtouch, has become the go-to supplier of truffles and caviar for a roster of 500 clients across the Gulf region that include Michelin-starred restaurants and winners of the regional 50 Best restaurant awards. Photographer: Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
Massimo Vidoni, managing director and founder of Italtouch, holds an imported black truffle, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Vidoni’s business, Italtouch, has become the go-to supplier of truffles and caviar for a roster of 500 clients across the Gulf region that include Michelin-starred restaurants and winners of the regional 50 Best restaurant awards. Photographer: Christopher Pike / Bloomberg
His business, Italtouch, has become the go-to supplier of truffles and caviar for 500 clients across the Gulf that include top-end establishments and winners of the regional 50 Best restaurant awards
His business, Italtouch, has become the go-to supplier of truffles and caviar for 500 clients across the Gulf that include top-end establishments and winners of the regional 50 Best restaurant awards
Vidoni, a 54-year-old Italian, has become known in Dubai as the 'Truffleman', a name he says a chef coined years ago
Vidoni, a 54-year-old Italian, has become known in Dubai as the 'Truffleman', a name he says a chef coined years ago
Demand has never been stronger for truffles in Dubai, where some diners expect to be offered dishes adorned with caviar, truffle or even gold leaf
Demand has never been stronger for truffles in Dubai, where some diners expect to be offered dishes adorned with caviar, truffle or even gold leaf
Vidoni holds a tin of imported Iranian caviar. The company imported nearly 4,000kg of truffles last year
Vidoni holds a tin of imported Iranian caviar. The company imported nearly 4,000kg of truffles last year
Truffles are best served with fatty foods such as oil, cream, butter and cheese — they don’t go well with acidic and spicy food, such as tomato, he explains
Truffles are best served with fatty foods such as oil, cream, butter and cheese — they don’t go well with acidic and spicy food, such as tomato, he explains
Bottles of white balsamic vinegar with gold flake, created for the Saudi Arabian market and selling for Dh1,134 ($309), at the Italtouch showroom in Dubai
Bottles of white balsamic vinegar with gold flake, created for the Saudi Arabian market and selling for Dh1,134 ($309), at the Italtouch showroom in Dubai
Reif Othman, chef and owner of Reif Japanese Kushiyaki restaurant, inspects black truffles delivered by Italtouch
Reif Othman, chef and owner of Reif Japanese Kushiyaki restaurant, inspects black truffles delivered by Italtouch
Vidoni was even summoned to Abu Dhabi to deliver truffles in August 2020, when a delegation of Israelis visited the UAE as part of events around the Abraham Accords
Vidoni was even summoned to Abu Dhabi to deliver truffles in August 2020, when a delegation of Israelis visited the UAE as part of events around the Abraham Accords
A Reif Japanese Kushiyaki dish of truffle cream udon, garnished with black truffles delivered by Italtouch. Massimo Vidoni’s business is booming
A Reif Japanese Kushiyaki dish of truffle cream udon, garnished with black truffles delivered by Italtouch. Massimo Vidoni’s business is booming

Gulf

The go-to man for truffles and $300 balsamic vinegar - in pictures

Massimo Vidoni, the founder of Italtouch, serves customers across the Gulf

The National

March 22, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid attends Dubai Breeze-Up Sale at Meydan

Celebrating World Water Day - in pictures

I can't feel if I'm up or down, Al Neyadi tells UAE residents about life in space

Ramadan lights illuminate London street

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

Gulf Men's League final

Dubai Hurricanes 24-12 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

Updated: March 22, 2023, 11:01 AM
UAE