VILLA MANODORI
The name Villa Manodori harks back to a 16th century estate located in Modena’s countryside. Great feasts of local game were often the custom at the Estensi Estate.
Their renowned aceto balsamico was served as a digestive at the end of each meal.
Chef Bottura takes great pride in Modenese culinary traditions and products.
He has been commited over the past twelve years to restoring the Villa Manodori Acetaia to its noble past.
MASSIMO BOTTURA
A restaurateur and entrepreneur for more than thirty years, Massimo Bottura is one of the most influential figures on the world gastronomic scene.
In 1995 he opened Osteria Francescana in Modena, his hometown. Over the years, numerous awards are given to the restaurant and establish the chef’s global reputation. The same year, he started bottling Balsamic Vinegar under the brand Villa Manodori.
In addition to Osteria Francescana, other projects were born that today form the Francescana Family. In Italy, the bistrot Franceschetta58, restaurant Cavallino in collaboration with Ferrari, Gucci Osteria in Florence, Casa Maria Luigia, Massimo and his wife Lara Gilmore’s guesthouse, with restaurant Al Gatto Verde and the Acetaia Maria Luigia. While at the international level were born Torno Subito in Dubai and Singapore and Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Seoul. In 2015, Food for Soul was born, a non-profit association aimed at fighting food waste and social isolation. During these years, Francescana Family has seen the publication of three books, all published by Phaidon Press: Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef, Bread is Gold, Slow Food Fast Cars.
FRANCESCANA FAMILY
Everything started from a small restaurant with big dreams: Massimo Bottura opened Osteria Francescana in his hometown, Modena in 1995.
The restaurant’s numerous awards – three Michelin stars in 2012, one green Michelin star in 2020, and the first place in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2016 and 2018 – helped to assert the chef’s reputation globally.
1995 was also the year when Bottura began bottling Balsamic Vinegar with his Villa Manodori brand, which today includes a wide variety of condiments used in his restaurants’ kitchens.
In 2011, Franceschetta58 opened in Modena, a contemporary gastro-bistro and the second Francescana Family project.
In 2018, the partnership with Gucci was inaugurated with the opening of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence. The same year, a new international collaboration with W Hotels Worldwide was the opportunity to bring the Italian dolce vita on Dubai’s shores with the opening of Torno Subito.
Another great adventure started in 2019, which led Francescana Family to explore its hospitality potential inaugurating Casa Maria Luigia, Massimo and Lara’s guesthouse in the Modenese countryside, which in 2023 saw the addition of “not barbecue” restaurant Al Gatto Verde.
In early 2020, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura opened its doors to the public in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan and in 2022 in Seoul, Korea.
In June 2021, Francescana Family collaborated with Ferrari to reopen Cavallino, the historic restaurant of Enzo Ferrari and icon of the excellences of the region.
In 2015, Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore founded Food for Soul, a non-profit association and cultural project aimed at combating food waste and social isolation, which today counts 13 Refettorios in 9 countries around the world. During these years, Francescana Family has seen the publication of three books, all published by Phaidon Press: Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef, which documents the evolution of Osteria Francescana cuisine, Bread is Gold, a collection of stories and recipes to inspire people to act against food waste, and in 2023 Slow Food Fast Cars: Casa Maria Luigia: Stories and Recipes, about the birth and growth of Massimo and Lara’s countryside inn.
