The Story Behind My Love of Italian Food 🇮🇹
Why Italy? 🇮🇹
People often ask me why I’m so passionate about Italian food. As I sat down to write this, I quickly realised that it’s not a question I can answer in a few paragraphs. There are countless reasons why Italy has captured my heart, but every story has a beginning, and mine starts with a man called Carlo…
My love of Italian food undoubtedly stems from my late Uncle Carlo. I have a vivid memory of being 12 years old, nervously boarding a plane with a dog tag around my neck and being sent off to Italy for the summer to stay with my aunt, uncle and three cousins. At the time, the whole idea felt a little daunting.
That was, of course, until dinner was served.
From that moment on, I was completely captivated. Watching Carlo cook was fascinating. He approached food with an infectious passion and a deep respect for ingredients. Everything was carefully sourced, thoughtfully prepared and treated with care. Yet despite the simplicity, every ingredient seemed to sing on the plate.
That summer, Rome was a whirlwind of adventure. The city was alive with energy, history and, most importantly, incredible food. There was always something new to discover, whether it was a bustling market, a hidden trattoria or a dish I’d never tasted before.
Towards the end of the holiday, we travelled to the tranquil shores of Sardinia. It was there that I was introduced to seafood and fish that wasn’t covered in batter — a revolutionary concept for a young Brit! Carlo would head out fishing most days and return with something different for dinner each evening. With the exception of the octopus (a story for another day 🐙), every meal was unforgettable.
One dish in particular has stayed with me ever since: spaghetti alle vongole. To this day, it remains one of my absolute favourites.
In fact, I could happily eat Carlo’s pasta for breakfast, lunch and dinner… and often did.
Years later, when we received the heartbreaking news of his passing, we cooked his classic Amatriciana for breakfast. It was the last dish we had cooked together, and somehow it felt like the perfect way to honour him.
Carlo’s legacy lives on through his wonderful family. His three sons have undoubtedly inherited his passion for food, and my Aunt Barb is no slouch in the kitchen either. Thankfully, he also passed a few recipes on to us Brits, so he can rest easy knowing that not all our meals consist of pies and chips!
As my career in food began, I followed a path that many young chefs take and started my apprenticeship in a French restaurant in London, learning the classical foundations of cooking. But while I admired French technique, my heart had always belonged to Italy.
A year later, I found myself working at what was, at the time, one of London's finest Italian restaurants: Theo Randall at the InterContinental.
Theo, despite being English himself, shared Carlo’s obsession with exceptional ingredients. I would watch him spend considerable time examining deliveries as they arrived, checking every box of produce with genuine excitement and care.
I was completely blown away by the quality of what came through those kitchen doors. Amalfi lemons bursting with fragrance, peaches that looked and smelled heavenly, delicate Limousin veal, fish so fresh it was still in rigor mortis, enormous wheels of Parmesan and countless other treasures from across Italy.
What struck me most was the simplicity.
There were no foams, no elaborate purées and very few culinary theatrics. Instead, there was perfectly executed, honest food. Dishes built around flavour, seasonality and respect for ingredients.
And I didn't miss the theatrics one bit.
That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to influence the food we create today. Great ingredients, treated with care, cooked simply and shared generously — that's what Italian food means to me.
And that's why Italy. 🇮🇹
This is only the beginning of the story. There are many more chapters to come, from travels across Italy to the regional dishes, producers and traditions that continue to inspire me every day.
