Italian chef Carlo Cracco sued Achille Ottaviani, editor of La Cronaca di Verona, over his assessment of the food served at an international wine festival in 2016.

Mr Ottaviani criticised the “tough meat [and] vegetables that don’t pair”, and claimed that most guests had left disappointed and hungry, looking for kebab shops.

The lawsuit focused on Mr Ottaviani’s claims about other diners’ reactions to the meal, rather than his own opinion.

Mr Ottaviani has been fined €11,000 and ordered to pay €20,000 in damages – but the sum could grow as Mr Cracco has suggested he will bring another civil claim for €50,000 in damages.