Massimo Bottura

Chef patron of Osteria Francescana, a three-Michelin starred restaurant in Modena, Northern Italy. Bottura is known as a chef of great passion with a rebellious philosophy that insists culture is the real power a chef can have to make a difference. Using the exquisite seasonal fare of his region, he plays with references from contemporary art and music both to create beauty and joy and to make a statement. His dishes are highly imaginative and innovative – rabbit macaroons and eel ravioli for example – and often have quirky names such as ‘Pollution’ (a protest against nuclear contamination) and ‘Snails in the Vineyard.’ Among other campaigns – both social and environmental – Bottura set up the Refettorio Ambrosiano at the Expo Milan 2015, serving lunches made from food leftover from the exhibition to those in need, calling attention to millions of tons of food waste created each year. Since then, this initiative has been replicated in Río de Janeiro, Paris and London under the name Food for Soul.