Rettondini Wins Rice-Eating Contest, Sets Record at Isola della Scala

He devoured three kilograms and ten grams of risotto all’isolana in 45 minutes. Thus, Massimo Rettondini won the rice-eating contest organized by Risiera Melotti, confirming himself as the biggest rice enthusiast known to Isola della Scala, as he has been undefeated in this challenge for four consecutive years.

Just to illustrate the difference between him and the others: the second place finisher stopped after eating “only” two kilograms and 100 grams of risotto. Massimo kept going, not out of hunger but for glory and the record.

The passion and past victories

“I’m a glutton and I love rice and risotto excessively,” he says. Rettondini explains that all’isolana is his favorite dish; for this reason, he participates enthusiastically, as well as appetite, in the competition where in 1998 he won eating two kilograms and 860 grams; in 1999 with two kilograms and 890; and in 2000 with two kilograms and 520 (he stopped because he saw he wouldn’t face serious opponents among the other contestants). This year, he surpassed himself with an amount of risotto equivalent to 14 servings, which he swallowed with the help of a glass and a half of wine.

The prize, like every year, consisted of a commemorative plaque and 30 kilograms of rice, enough to prepare sixty kilograms of risotto. Rettondini, 42 years old, from Legnago, weighing 130 kilograms with joviality, states he’s happily married to Marina and father of Beatrice, 4 years old.

Work and his relationship with food

He has always worked in restaurants as a maître d’; therefore, he says, “I’ve always eaten a lot and well; I’m a calm man who loves food and company.” Now, he works during the day as a factory worker in a box-making plant and in the evening at his family’s pizzeria.

He continues to be a good eater, although over the past year, he has been more cautious and follows a diet on his doctor’s advice. His participation in the risotto challenge was a transgression, but he had promised himself to eat three kilograms.

Preparation and secret of his victory

To prepare for the event, he fasted… from noon because “it’s not good to arrive at the contest too hungry.” At the end of the event, feeling “as full as a buffalo,” he went for a long walk up and down the streets of Legnago until three in the morning to burn off risotto and tastasal.

What is the secret to his victories? “You need to love rice to eat so much of it,” he repeats. “I savor it not only with my mouth but also with my heart.” In his family, the daily menu is based on grains; everyone appreciates rice, prefers it over pasta, and normally consumes it prepared in all ways.

He eats normally too: only when it comes to rice does he become an enthusiastic “fanatic.” He eats two or three large plates, so his lunch might consist, for example, of three hundred grams of boiled rice with cherry tomatoes.

Final thoughts and future participations

Rettondini says he doesn’t know if he will participate in the 2002 edition of the contest. “To my wife, who always tells me to be careful,” he admits, “I said no,” but then adds: “We’ll see.” For now, after this contest, he is planning a diet period.

Otherwise, in November, the doctor might get angry.