"Rimini...Italy's South Beach" Rimini by mapakettle

I came to Rimini in the middle of winter, not for the beaches, the beautiful blue water, or the luscious young ladies laying topless along the water's edge, but for a beer festival called Planet Beer. This was the 35th International Food Show held in Italy, which caters to the restaurant trade. This year it ran from Feb 05 thru to Feb 08.

I have attended numerous shows like this while in business in Canada, going to Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, Minneapolis, Chicago, and the grandaddy of them all, Las Vegas. All of them were large in scope, and very professionally presented by the various sponsors.

The attendees are always enthusiastic, combining business with pleasure, handing out business cards left, right and centre, entering draws for give-a-ways for everything from a Company logo hat, to cars, Televisions, and free cases of food stuffs. Always great fun, with free food to be had at every booth.

This one was a bit different than what I just described. Still lots of food, but no draws that I could see, and wine and beer flowed freely. The attendees appeared to be better behaved than in North America, not as loud or pushy, and they took 'one' of any free offering, rather than handfuls, and moved along rather than surrounding a plate of shrimp or chicken, and scarfing it down.

I saw booths with items lying loose upon the display tables, things like pens or knives, hats, t-shirts, boxes of product...never touched, whereas in the shows from home, the vultures would have swept down and stripped the tables clean.

A different mind set here, which I'm still trying to come to grips with. We are not thieves in North America, but we are just not as gentlemanly in our behaviour there as they are in Italy.

I saw no drunks, no displays of loud behaviour. Just very civilized patrons. Every booth was offering free drinks, beer flowed, but a small glass was sipped rather than chug-a-lugged. In a short section of perhaps 100 feet, I was offered no less than eight flutes of prosecco, with offers to sit and enjoy.

pictures were not allowed, I took it from the hip

My host and hostess, wonderful, wonderful people. They have practically adopted Ma Kettle and I, and are invited wherever they go.

In this case, they know Ma and I had been in the restaurant business for many years, and were invited to tag along. Ma was unable to attend, but I was, and did.

In the picture to the side, the white haired gentleman offered us samples of various wines, and when asked how I liked it, I was brutally honest, saying it was far too sweet. Alfio patted me on the shoulder and was most proud of my response. I guess I passed the test, the salesman smiled, and I began to loosen up.

Graziella liked other products this winery offered, and ordered the show specials, and as we were leaving, the salesman presented me with a lovely bottle of Prosecco DI Valdobbiadene from Il Cantiniere. That doesn't happen in Canada.

Ma Kettle and I returned to Rimini in August of this year, with our friends Alfio and Graziella. This time we were on our way home from the Republic of San Marino, and stopped for a few hours at 'Italia in Miniatura', a family amusement park about ten minutes outside Rimini. I recommend anyone passing by, to take a few hours, and relax by wandering the park, and perhaps cool down in the waterpark portion. Great fun for all ages. Take a look at the web site for more info. (Italian only, but still entertaining)

www.italiainminiatura.com

• Pros:Huge hall, professionally presented.
• Cons:pictures were not allowed
• In a nutshell:Thoroughly enjoyed myself