It worked. Spanish gastronomy summit Madrid Fusion has managed to recruit Robert De Niro to help promote the event.
With a limited advertising budget, Madrid Fusion, which runs from 31 May - 2 June, had to think a little differently about how to advertise their event. What they came up with was a long shot, but it seems to have worked. They put together a promotional video calling on Robert De Niro to add his name to the campaign, and in return they offered him a once-in-a-lifetime dinner cooked just for him by five of the world's best chefs - Mauro Colagreco, José Andrés, Joan Roca, Quique Dacosta and Martín Berasategui.
It was an offer he couldn't refuse and De Niro has responded by accepting in an Instagram post that is sure to bring great satisfaction to the organisers.
De Niro is a well-known gourmand and restaurateur, with his Tribeca Grill in Manhattan, so he was a wise choice to ask to help promote the event. "I'm in," he said. "Of course I'm in and I'll see you whenever I can get over there." It may not be immediately with current travel restrictions in place, but Spain and Europe, in general, are in the process of opening up to US tourism in order to make the most of the summer season and provide much-needed oxygen to the beleaguered hospitality industry.