Nearly 1kg Alba white truffle sells for US$154,000 to Hong Kong bidder in charity auction

The truffle, sold at the 25th World Alba White Truffle Auction, was part of a single lot that included an Italy trip and meal in Hong Kong

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The nearly 908g Alba white truffle that was sold as part of a single-lot package for US$154,000 to a Hong Kong bidder at the 2024 World Alba White Truffle Auction, on November 10. Photo: Castellana

Published: 7:04pm, 11 Nov 2024

A white truffle from Alba in Italy weighing nearly 1kg was auctioned for more than US$150,000 at the 25th World Alba White Truffle Auction charity gala dinner held in Hong Kong on November 10.

The 908g (2lb) white truffle sold for HK$1.2 million (US$154,000). It was part of a single lot that also included a four-day accommodation package in Italy’s Piedmont region and an eight-person dining experience at Hong Kong restaurant Castellana, which specialises in Piemont cuisine.

The entire auction raised a total of HK$3 million.

Bidders from locations including Singapore, Vienna, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Seoul and Alba took part in the auction. Once again, it was a Hong Kong bidder who won the main lot.

Castellana founder Matteo Morello again organised the auction at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, which saw chefs Romeo Morelli of Castellana, Angelo Agliano of Tosca Di Angelo, and Robin Zavou and Matthew Reuther of the Mandarin Oriental team up to create a six-course, eight-hands menu for guests.

(From left) Chefs Matthew Reuther, Romeo Morelli, Robin Zavou and Angelo Agliano teamed up to create a six-course meal in conjunction with the auction. Photo: Castellana

This year’s auction was not the first time that Hongkongers have splashed out on Alba white truffles.