Nearly twenty thousand meals—19,561 to be exact—were served during the week of the European Athletics U18 Championships in Rieti, ensuring lunch and dinner for athletes, coaches, officials and event staff. A large air-conditioned marquee was set up in the courtyard of the Costaggini Hospitality Institute, just a short walk from the Raul Guidobaldi Stadium. Equipped with two self-service lines and 700 seats, it allowed up to 700 people to dine simultaneously throughout more than nine hours of daily service.
The menu was rich, colourful and specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of elite athletes. The figures are impressive: 1,500 kg of fresh fruit, 20,000 bottles of iced tea, 1,200 kg of pasta, 8,000 chicken breast portions, 3,000 fish fillets, 3,000 breaded cutlets, 1,800 kg of potatoes, 600 kg of fresh vegetables for side dishes, and approximately 300 kg of tuna, all complemented by a full pallet of sweet corn, another pallet of beetroot, and, naturally, a wide selection of gluten-free options.
Dozens of people worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including chefs, catering staff and assistants. From early morning until late at night, the team from La Corte Catering, led by Elia Grillotti, worked continuously in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee and in accordance with European Athletics guidelines to provide high-quality meals throughout the event.
The menus were balanced, varied and flavourful, with a few special treats included. Athletes and staff could enjoy authentic Roman pinsa, delicious desserts, and carefully balanced portions of carbohydrates and proteins essential for peak athletic performance.
The success of the catering operation was also made possible thanks to the invaluable support of the Costaggini Hospitality Institute. This partnership began last year through the commitment of Headmaster Giovanni Luca Barbonetti, his staff and the entire school community.
The institute not only made its extensive professional kitchens available—with refrigerators, storage rooms, cooking facilities and all the equipment needed to prepare thousands of meals—but also opened its auditorium for student events during the school year and for the official championship press conference. Its gymnasium served as the event's logistics centre, while the outdoor areas were used as parking facilities for the European Championships workforce.
This successful collaboration highlights the importance of strong partnerships between major sporting events, educational institutions and local organisations, proving to be a winning formula, particularly in terms of hospitality and event services.