How To Get a Reservation at Osteria Francescana? Actually, You Can’t

Or rather, you can try. But it might be more complicated than you’d imagine.

The world-famous award-winning, (three) Michelin star holding restaurant has become a celebrity of its own – one everyone who decides to visit Italy has at least once thought about eating at. And with good reason, since the dishes served by Chef Bottura at the Osteria Francescana find their roots in traditional, top-quality Emilian cuisine, but without forgetting to make a move towards the future, innovating and presenting products and produce with a refreshing, new look. The only problem? Booking a lunch or a dinner can be quite the process.

The Osteria’s Fame

In the past few years, Massimo Bottura, the chef behind the Osteria Francescana, has been praised and regarded by the culinary world for a number of reasons: for being true to his roots in his style, mission and choice of ingredients, for bringing innovative ideas – literally – to the table, and for creating new dishes that contribute to create a unique dining experience.
Thanks to this, Chef Bottura’s fame has skyrocketed to the Olympus of Italian haute-cuisine, making his restaurant, one of the most exclusive in Italy, and the best restaurant in the world, according to “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016”. The waiting list to book a table is of four months, so if you need to book for a specific date, or period of time (based on the days you’ll be in Modena), you need to be prepared.

How to Book

First of all, as we already established, the restaurant is fully booked, and sold out, for the next 4 months. New reservations start on April for the month of July, and so on.
At this link, http://www.osteriafrancescana.it/reservations/ you can see the reservations’ calendar with available dates and, if you skip forward using the arrows, you can see the instructions about booking a table: reservations open on a certain date and time, so if you want to get in early on the waiting list, prepare to call, or email the staff accordingly.
By making a reservation you are in fact inquiring about booking a table, and the Osteria will get back at you in the next 96 hours – enough time to sort the tables and pick clients from the waiting list for that date. If someone cancels their reservation, that’s all the more chance you have for your request to go through, but it can be though.
Being flexible with dates and times is a great way to get in the Osteria’s “good graces” and your reservation is more likely to be confirmed. A great way to show the staff you’re fine with multiple dates, and okay with going either at lunch or dinner is making a call.
For a successful call, remember to be nice and accommodating. Ask the staff if there’s something that can be done to fit you in, pointing out your availability.

More info can be found clicking on the following Quora and Tripadvisor links. Along with inquiries about how to make a reservation and how to contact the restaurant, you can also find other tips, reviews, and frequently asked questions about the Osteria’s dress-code and more.
https://www.quora.com/How-hard-is-it-to-get-a-reservation-at-Osteria-Francescana
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/FAQ_Answers-g187803-d1160010-t918838-I_ll_be_in_Modena_in_a_few_months_how_did_you.html

Alternatives to the Osteria Francescana

Of course managing to find a spot at the Osteria can be done, but if you couldn’t book a table in time, or your reservation didn’t go through, don’t fret: there are more fantastic dining experiences to be had in and around Modena that’ll be sure to leave you a great memory (and after-taste) of your visit to the city.
Here are a couple of alternatives that you can rely on for a great lunch or dinner out, and don’t forget that the internet is always available if you need to look up restaurants and osterie on the spot. Or, you could just look around, and you’ll see plenty of quaint little places with great local and traditional menus.

The Osteria Franceschetta

Chef Bottura also manages this Osteria, with the collaboration of other famous chefs. The menu is rich of interesting, fusion-style dishes that still find their roots in Italian and local, Emilian cuisine, but without forgetting a twist in the presentation, tastes and colors.
Choosing this restaurant will make it so that you’ll still enjoy an incredible experience alongside Bottura’s ideas and creations but in a different ambient, with more affordable options that those of the Osteria Francescana, and a more relaxed booking experience.
Reservation is advised, and can be done through the Osteria’s website:
http://www.franceschetta.it/en/

L’Erba del Re – Award-winning Restaurant in Modena

This restaurant can boast one Michelin star, along with many other awards and great results achieved through the years. If you couldn’t get into Osteria Francescana, the Ristorante L’Erba del Re is an excellent alternative, with traditional and innovative dishes, made with locally sourced and top-quality ingredients. Tasting menus for a well-rounded culinary experience are available.
http://www.lerbadelre.it/

5 Massimo Bottura Dishes that Blow Me Away

Famous Italian restaurateur Massimo Bottura has been at the top for decades but his style has risen in prominence since 2010, when his Modena-based restaurant Osteria Francescana was rated with three Michelin stars. Since then, he has won numerous awards and established himself as one of the world’s top chefs, known for constantly pushing culinary boundaries. His most recent success — receiving the Best Restaurant in the World award by the prestigious The World’s Best 50 Restaurants list in June 2016 — has catapulted him to the very top and made his restaurant the first Italian restaurant to receive this eminent title. I’ve been following his work for a while and while it’s hard to pick an absolute favorite, here are 5 dishes that completely blow me away:

1. Croccantino di Foie Gras

This preparation is just amazing as it incorporate the novelty of eating croccantino (an industrial icecream from the 80s) and the velvety sensation of fois gras. The beauty of Bottura’s cooking is that it reflects his understanding of how textures and flavors combine to produce a perfect melange of tastes and every grown up dream to eat croccantino again.

The Croccantino is a perfect example of this. By combining the crunchiness and light sweetness of the almond and hazelnut crust with the balsamic heart, Bottura elevates the flavor of the foie gras. To boot, the ice cream stick takes the snazziness off what would normally be a high-class dish and gives it a nostalgic feel.

2. Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart

Massimo Bottura's “Oops! I’ve dropped the lemon tart!” — Oops! I’ve dropped the lemon tart!

I love this dish because it destroys all of our preconceived notions of what a fancy meal is supposed to look like. Turned upside down and purposefully smashed, in this tart Bottura combines the avant-garde taste of haute cuisine with the casual nonchalance of a desert that didn’t turn out as expected.

Bottura’s recipe combines lemongrass ice cream, custardy zabaione filling and a delicious crust spiced with anise, black pepper, cinnamon and juniper. The different components give the dessert layers of flavor, combining the sweetness of the zabaione, the refreshing minty lime taste of lemongrass and the unassuming scent of the crust.

Overall, this lemon tart is an exotic yet familiar addition to any menu. I can’t wait to make it again!

3. Eel Swimming Up the Po River

This appetizer proves that all good food also has a story. The name of this dish references the voyage of the Estensi family in the 16th century from Ferrara to Modena — against the current, the eel gathers a number of ingredients from Veneto, Mantova and the countryside. The dish features a combination of polenta, apple extract, Amarone and saba making for a meal full of history and ripe with regional tastes.

I love this dish because of its feel for the local and its ability to transport you to another place and time. But in addition to appealing to your imagination and drawing upon history, Bottura succeeds in making an excellent dish, full of freshness and novelty.

4. Chicken Chicken… Where Are You?

This is by far one of my favorite recipes, inpired by Bottura’s little daughter, it combines an understated chicken taste with a variety of extravagant vegetables such as Koppert Cress, Daikon and Violet Flower in addition to classics such as Fennel, Scallion and Celery. The elaborateness of this dish is hidden in its style of preparation as well as the effort it takes to integrate a rich chicken taste into this variety of vegetables, but in fact you cannot find solid pieces of chicken in this preparation but just the scent, therefore “chicken where are you?”

5. 5 Different Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano

I love cheese and considering that parmiggiano reggiano is one of my favorite cheeses, I had to try this dish. It’s definitely very Bottura, combining the avant-garde with a firm connection with local history and tradition.

The recipe consists of five different textures of different ages of parmiggiano reggiano — a souffle, a galette, ‘air,’ as well as foam which all combine in spectacular ways considering that we are talking about the same product. Also, the recipe is easier to make than expected! The trick is to find the cheeses.

How (And Where) To Drive An Exotic Car in Italy

Going to Italy is on the bucket list of almost every person alive. This is because Italy is said to be one of the most romantic places on earth. It’s also home to great fashion trends and has the most exquisite shopping places. On top of the retail therapy and exotic food, Italy offers its tourists the chance to drive super cars on the public roads and also on the racing tracks. Several companies offering this service are available to make your trip to Italy simply unforgettable.

How to Drive an Exotic Car in Italy

You can hire a super car in any agency for a few hours as a driving test or take it on a spin for two days. Every car comes with a driving instructor who is always with you for safety.

Where to Drive an Exotic Car in Italy

1. Maranello and Modena

A test drive in Maranello starts with a private driver picking you up from your hotel and taking you to the heart of Italy of motor sport. This area is also known as the home of Ferrari or Italian Motor Valley. You board your super car of choice right after you pass the Ferrari factory. At this point you get to sit behind the wheel of a Lamborghini or a Ferrari and feel its roar and power. The instructor will sit right by you to give you instructions as you start slow in normal roads. You can increase the speed and use F1 super gear as you get used to the car until you reach the Modena racing track.

At this location you can combine road drive and tracking driving at the Modena autodromo. This is a complete racing track with amazing bends and gradients. The instructor will take the first lap as you watch closely so you can know how to do it. After that you are given back the pilot seat to take four exhilarating laps on the track. You then get to drive the car back to Maranello for thirty minutes before giving it back.

2. Imola Racing Track

The city of Imola is known as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. It is famous for hosting formula One San Marino Grand Prix .The Imola racing track is one of the biggest tracks in Italy and is also a tourist attraction. Imola has the biggest Lamborghini academy where people are taught to drive this high-end car safely. The instructor stays with you but you stay in control. The instructors are patient, polite and let you make your own decisions. The benefit of the Imola race track over other tracks is that you get unlimited laps and different super cars.

3. Mugello Racing Track

At Autodromo Internazionale Del Mugello, one gets to learn all the tricks of race cars before test driving one. It is a big race circuit in Tuscany that enables one to take long laps and enjoy the super high speed. The facility is upgraded regularly to meet safety standards because it’s used by a lot of companies and individuals. You can test the power of an amazing GT car in this exhilarating descents and long straights with the guidance of an instructor.

At the Mugello’s circuit it also possible to drive a Formula one car.

4. Monza

Monza circuit is the most famous sports complex in the world because it hosts the prestigious grand prix events .It has long straights and fierce bends that will take your breath away. Monza circuit has 3 tracks; Gran Premio, junior tracks and the Speed track. Get a driving course in the junior track and then get behind the wheel on a fast race in the GT program. Monza circuit is also great for watching famous racers do their thing on track days.

At the Monza’s circuit it also possible to drive a Formula one car.

How to Get An International Driving Permit

If you plan to drive a super car in the public road in Italy you should obtain an international driving permit.

Drivers from outside EU are required to get an international driving license if they are to be allowed to drive in Italy. This license must then be translated into Italian to avoid problems with the traffic police. Anyone who has a USA driving license is eligible for an international one from any AAA club in US or Canada. It does not require a driving test, only an online application with photos and a $15 fee. It must be renewed annually, just like every other driving permit. The process is real fast and comes with minimal hassle.

Modena Trattoria Aldina, a Review

The Trattoria Aldina is a restaurant that offers traditional Emilian dishes, and it’s located in Modena inside a building that houses other businesses, so it’s actually quite easy to miss the entrance. But the restaurant, its address being Via Luigi Albinelli 40, is off the beaten path going towards the city center and as such it’s frequented largely by locals, which is all the more reason to dine here, surrounded by friendly staff and true, homemade local dishes. The atmosphere in here makes it so that it feels like you’re about to have a hearty Sunday meal at an aunt or a grandma’s house, and since the restaurant is on the first floor, the overall appearance of the place is that of a real Italian house. Booking is not possible unless you plan on dining here with a group of people, but it’s fairly easy to be seated – you might have to wait just a little while at most.
The pasta-based dishes are excellent and 8 euros for a dish of tortellini in broth is truly a deal! The quality of the courses offered is amazing, especially when compared to the affordable prices. The ratio between quality and price is outstanding since the dishes of homemade fresh pasta with or without filling (tagliatelle, tortellini, tortelli, lasagne and more) cost only 7/8 euros.

The dishes I decided to order and try are as follows, but the choice spans across most of the traditional dishes and courses of a typical Emilian meal, and it ranges from different kinds of pasta, filled pasta (with diverse and seasonal fillings to satisfy every palate), second courses of meats, including veal, and a choice of side dishes (baked vegetables, mashed potatoes and so on) and cheeses.

I ordered a classic dish of tortellini in broth, a staple in the Emilian tradition, especially here in Modena, that proved to be excellent and affordable; as a second course, I strayed from the usual that would have customers order more traditional dishes such as pork shin-bone or tagliata, to order a horse meat tartare that was fairly good. As for what concerns the desserts, I tried both the excellent zuppa inglese (a trifle made with layered custard, chocolate cream, and sponge cake dipped in Alchermes) and the panna cotta with a red berries syrup that was quite good – the desserts available might change from day to day but the pillars of Italian cuisine are usually always on the menu, including tiramisu, mascarpone and more.

Great tortellini in brodo at Aldina’s – only 8 euros.

Panna cotta – Zuppa inlgese – Tartare di cavallo – Tortellini

Coffee: Become a Master Barista With This Masterclass in Italy

Being a barista is something that can be done wherever there is a coffee house, but the role finds its roots in the Italian tradition of coffee making, and with the Terzi Coffee School you can finally learn this incredible and refined trade.

The Terzi Coffeehouses of Italy provide the chance to take part in lessons and courses at the Terzi School for Coffee and Foodies, located in Vignola, no matter your starting skill level. Coffee lovers, baristas and tourists who seek a truly Italian hands-on experience will be taught by an English-speaking (other languages available) master barista all about the different types and techniques of coffee making and most of the classes – that range between short, half-day ones, one-day experiences and multi-day classes – also include breakfast, lunch and/or dinner of the best local Emilia Romagna dishes.

The aim of the owner of Caffè Terzi of Italy, Mr. Manuel Terzi, is to spread his knowledge and coffee expertise to anyone who’s willing to learn. The school doesn’t just cater to those who wish to become more familiar with the world of coffee, but also to foodies and food-lovers, and the school offers insight about the best dishes of Italian cuisine, the best pairings between coffee and cheese, information about coffee beans and all you wanted to know about the history of coffee, the methods to harvest and grind the beans, the equipment needed for the Italian techniques as well as the other methods of extraction available and also how to make the perfect drink (you can learn over 125 coffee drinks!), latte art, and the perfect cappuccino.

There are many online courses about the art of coffee making, but the Terzi School offers a first-person experience, with focused training, not detached demonstrations. The participants will take part in the activities and will be engaged in an all-around experience in a friendly atmosphere, with small classes that allow for individual attention for optimal learning. The course will be tailored on your needs, and there are many curricula available on the school’s website to choose from. Registration is easy and the prices range from 35€ for a simple lunch/dinner to join your friends who have taken part in a class (this option doesn’t include the class itself), to 195€ for a 4hrs class where you can learn how to make the perfect espresso or cappuccino, and up to more expensive classes for the coffee die-hards who want to know everything about coffee roasting. Barista classes are available for beginners (3.5hrs/195€), intermediate participants (4.5hrs/250€) or advanced baristas (8hrs/495€), so that anyone with any level of experience can find the course that best fits their wishes.

The world of coffee is wonderful, and perhaps a bit complicated at first glance, but the Terzi School of Italy just opened its doors and it’s a chance to learn all you wanted to know about coffee you just can’t miss.

Pavarotti Museum Finally Opens in Modena

Pavarotti singing in Modena — Pavarotti singing in Italy – source

On the occasion of Expo 2015 in Milan, even Modena, together with Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, decides to exceptionally open to the public the doors of Casa Pavarotti that have been transformed into a House-Museum thanks to a path that will permit his fans to better know Luciano Pavarotti both as famous tenor and man.
The visit of the House-Museum in Stradello Nava is part of the Discover Ferrari & Pavarotti Land tour, organised by Modena to show to the tourists the beauties of the city.

In the past, the Foundation opened the House just for special occasions so it is the first time that everyone is allowed to enter the House transformed into a Museum. This decision has been taken to never forget the name of Luciano Pavarotti, and it is even the main reason that encouraged Nicoletta Mantovani (Pavarotti’s wife) to start the Foundation in 2007, after the tenor’s death.

The Museum remains intentionally more in the dimension of a House because the Foundation wants to show how the tenor lived, in other words they want the public to know Luciano, rather than Pavarotti.
For example, an aspect that surely will help us to know him as a simple man is the area of the House that he decided to consecrate to his horses: here he opened a real horseback riding school and for 11 years, he has hosted a prestigious hurdle jumping competition.
Another peculiarity is that it was Pavarotti who designed the House, and the architects followed meticulously his plans while realizing the construction. So the House reflects the personality of the tenor in each detail; it treasures all his photos and memories with the most important people of his life, his friends, his family, his daughter.
What’s more, visiting the House-Museum you will have the chance to admire the clothes he wore during his most beautiful performances, the videos of the several Pavarotti & friends that took place in Modena as well the innumerable awards he gained during his 40-year-career in many theaters all over the world.

The Museum will be open to the public 7 days a week; the public will have the chance to carry out a guided tour based on a service of audio-guides in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian, that will guide the visitors throughout the House.
Some rooms are the same as when Pavarotti was alive, as his bedroom and the kitchen, while some others have been set up with a sort of path that retrace his career, with his works, pictures with famous people and friends, awards and so on.

Transforming the House into Museum has not be so easy, on the contrary it has been a very demanding project for the Foundation, but the target to let everyone know how the so well-known tenor lived his everyday life, has been reached.

If you are visiting Modena you should also consider to visit Enzo Ferrari museum.

Musa – the First Charcuterie Museum in Italy.

The first charcuterie museum in Italy, “MUSA”, introduces its visitors to multiple aspects, stages and perspectives of traditional meat curing process. Founded in 2013, the three story building is located in Castelnuovo Rangone, Modena, Italy right next to the headquarters of Villani Salami plant – the oldest and biggest regional salami producing company, which has been sustaining the craft of charcuterie producing for over 120 years. Throughout the galleries of the museum building, its multimedia booths, glassy models and other thematic images visitors are brought into the atmosphere of gastronomic heritage and of meat gourmet preparation all across Italy. The itinerary incorporates ten major parts maintaining a balanced mix of the practical side of sliced-ham making along with the spirit and the pride artisans take in their work.

A Tribute to the History of Charcuterie

With the opening of Museo della Salumeria the commune of Castelnuovo Rangone (MO) pays tribute to the Villani S.p.A – a family-owned charcuterie production business existing since 1886, currently exporting cured meat to over fifty countries around the world. The gallery hallways feature the memorable images of historical tools, techniques and artifacts used in the old times for curing salami, mortadella and many other renowned culinary delights. As time shows, the salami-making process cannot be fully replaced by advanced technologies and modern equipment. The successful combination of novelty coordinated with manual approach and professional human skills is what makes the Italian-made charcuterie a one-of-a-kind delicacy.

Inside the Museum: Aesthetical and Educational Value

The visit course is divided into ten different sections each covering a particular aspect of the meat preparation process: curing, braising, trussing, slicing and more. The 3D crystal mock-ups of trussed meat on display, hanging platters of flowery cold cuts and other descriptive imagery convey the concept and culture of the multistage cooking course. Apart from getting impressed by the appetizing interior design, guests can gain knowledge about the various phases of the famous salami making. Throughout the course of years evolution of the product can be traced; the global tendency of healthy lifestyle in today’s world has imprinted itself in the manufacturing of the cold cuts as well: sliced ham contains less salt and fat complying with international food standards. By following the historical thread of the charcuterie evolution one gets the impression of what stands behind the legendary gastronomic delight: technique and precision side-by-side with passionate appreciation and dedication to work. Visitors expressing real-time interest to the cooking details may be armed with practical knowledge by gaining it from videos, textbooks and other visual aids available in respective halls – guidelines and old recipes are offered for public use.

Tastings and Social Events

Besides getting acquainted with the museum itinerary through texts and films, guests are welcome to take action by participating in guided tours, tastings and social themed gatherings. Gastronomic workshops are available upon request and the production department of salami Villani factory is open for visits as well for groups of at least 10 visitors

What to do in MODENA in three hours

Visit the perimeter of Maserati factory, you can spot many Maserati super cars running around, and see them test driven.

The Maserati factory has a small showroom where you can see the cars but you can also buy Maserati gadgets, T-shirt and so on. You do not need any appointment to go to the showroom, you can just turn up. However factory tours are harder to get.

This is the Maserati tower it is the headquarter of the company, note the Trident which is the symbol of the Maserati and it is sitting on top of the building, the Trident was chosen as it was also represented in the Piazza Maggiore fountain in Bologna.

Nearby you can find another supercar Museum. It is just five minutes away, it is Casa Natale Enzo Ferrari, and it is located at his house where the car maker was born, now it is a museum with plenty to see.

This is the main building of the Ferrari Museum and host many super car collection that are changed regularly. From here you can also take a shuttle bus and go to Marenello, where the other Ferrari Museum is.

This is the oldest delicatessen in the world it was open in 1605, it belonged to the GIUSTI family for a very long time. They were salami and ham makers in Modena and their products were exported all over Europe. Now is still a deli but also a renowned restaurant, featuring traditional fare but make sure that you book well in advance. It is open only for lunch.

In Modena people eat your gnocco fritto, it is a local speciality, it is simply a fried dumpling but is very tasty as it is fried in pork fat. You can order it for breakfast with your espresso. Or have it for dinner with slices of Parma ham.

This mercato Albinelli, here are you can buy many local specialties and super fresh meat, fish vegetables and fruits. It is in liberty style and built at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a focal point of the city, if you want to see the locals and what they eat, mercato Albinelli is the right place.

Modena’s Chef Massimo Bottura Wins Gastronomy Nobel Prize

Massimo Bottura is a world renowned chef and food connoisseur. With a global following, Chef Bottura has dazzled countless enthusiasts with mouth watering dishes and world class cuisine. As the proud owner of Osteria Francescana, the Italian sensation has also received stellar reviews from fans and industry critics alike. As a true master of the culinary arts, Chef Bottura recently captured the Nobel Prize for gastronomy. This prestigious award is courtesy of The White Guide, which honors contemporary chefs that have displayed unparalleled creativity and ingenuity each year. As the latest recipient of this unique award, Chef Bottura is truly honored to add this priceless achievement and accolade to his repertoire.

Over the years, the award has been presented to chefs that have simply outshined their competitors. More importantly, the prize pays homage and truly honors culinary specialists that have soared to new heights in this diverse and challenging industry. According to the judges, Bottura is an immensely talented and innovative chef that has gone above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, his artistry has truly enhanced common meals into fine works of art. From tantalizing dishes to scrumptious entrees, Massimo has fused traditional and contemporary delights to facilitate a broad range of tastes and preferences. For this reason, Bottura received the Nobel Prize and was honored for being a major force in this evolving and fast paced field.

The award ceremony took place in Stockholm in front of countless chefs and industry leaders. The event also spotlighted Bottura’s restaurant, as well as his past achievements in culinary excellence. As a former chef in Monaco, Massimo is known to create spectacular dishes by utilizing traditional and common ingredients. He has also appeared in several cooking magazines and books, and has a worldwide social media following. If you love innovative cooking and want to learn from the best, Chef Bottura can turn your dreams into realities. Simply read his books “Cook It Raw” and “Where Chefs Eat” for mouthwatering recipes and more information.

Who is Massimo Bottura?

A true son of Emilia Romagna, the culinary capital of Italy, Massimo Bottura was born in Modena in September 1962 and is one of a growing band of innovative chefs that are pushing the boundaries of food and dining as we have come to know them. Massimo’s first experience of food and ingredients came from the many hours he claims he spent under his grandmother’s kitchen table, where he went to seek refuge from his older brothers. Here, at her knee, his great love affair with all things culinary began, and he took the first steps of his journey to the culinary excellence that would one day see his restaurant receiving no less than 3 Michelin stars.

A bit about his background.

Massimo did not initially set out to become a chef; he was studying law in 1986, when he heard that a roadside trattoria on the outskirts of Modena was for sale. He decided to take a break from his studies, bought and renovated the building and a week later he opened his first restaurant, the Trattoria del Campazzo; the rest, as they say, is history and the law faculty’s loss was the Culinary world’s gain.

It was not an overnight success story for Massimo Bottura, but rather a journey of discovery as he first apprenticed with Chef Georges Cogny, where the foundations of his culinary knowledge were laid down with a good grounding in the principles of regional Italian cooking combined with classic French cuisine. He later worked with renowned chefs Alain Ducasse (Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo) and Ferran Adria of El Bulli fame in Spain.

Massimo opens his restaurant in his home town: Modena.

In 1995 he opened Osteria Francescana in the medieval city centre of his home town, Modena, with the intention of combining contemporary art, traditional Italian cuisine and his now-renowned innovative genius. In the following years Massimo and Osteria Francescana received numerous awards, including his first Michelin Star in 2002. A second star followed in 2006 and in 2012 he received his third Michelin star, making him one of only 7 Italian chefs to have been so honoured.
In addition, Osteria Francescana was named the Best Italian Restaurant in the world, and the 4th Best Restaurant in the World in 2011, on The World’s 50 Best Restaurant List. In the latest list for 2013, he has climbed yet another rung of the ladder and is placed at no 3!

The signature dishes of Massimo Bottura.

And the food, you may ask… Massimo himself describes each of his innovative dishes as being a reconstruction of an idea, a memory or a smile, and since he has lived in Modena all his life, the region plays an important role in his food. To whet your appetite, here are a couple of the dishes which will be served for his New Year’s Eve dinner – dedicated to his friends around the world with inspiring dishes from all corners of the globe. From Italy comes Sea urchin spaghetti in the Neopolitan tradition with aglio, olio e peperoncino (olive oil, garlic and chilli), from France there is Foie gras and white truffle (a marriage of French and Italian delicacies) in an Emilian ravioli. Nordic countries are represented by the Aurora borealis dish – porcini, black truffles, chestnuts, chocolate and pumpkin beneath a blanket of leaves.