While many of the hotels serve a scrumptious breakfast buffet, and many prepare wonderful special dinner menus throughout the year, there is only one annual Buffet di Ferragosto, and it is that which is served each August 15 at the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees. At this grandest of the grand hotels, each Ferragosto holiday, the annual mid-summer festival, is an occasion to out-do themselves with edible sculptures and a gastronomical heaven of a menu. With all foods served in finger food sizes you can be sure to try each and every one! Here are a few photos of the preparation for this year's feast:

There's no reason to pile up a plate... you can try foods one a time, because they are served in their own glass or spoon. The cost of this dinner buffet, served from 8 to 10 pm, was 75 euro... a princely price, si, but this is the Borromees afterall, and an only once-a-year experience each August.