RIMINI: Al Meni, the food festival created by Massimo Bottura and his Osteria Francescana team in Rimini returned at the end of September for its seventh edition. But unlike previous editions that were held in June in the world famous 8 1/2 circus tent in front of the Grand Hotel in Rimini where film director Federico Fellini spent a lot of his time, this year's edition was not just held in September but also also moved to the city centre from just in front of the sea. Originally intended to be a big food festival to celebrate the 100 years from Fellini's birth, this year's event took place in a smaller format because of the uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. "It was not an easy task," said Enrico Vignoli, the man behind the organisation of the event and one of Massimo Bottura's right hand men. "The COVID-19 pandemic created a lot of uncertainties. There was always the risk that we would have to cancel the event but we worked as if it would take place. And it … [Read more...]