Francesco Mazzei
Francesco Mazzei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1973 (age 51–52) Cerchiara di Calabria, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Awards | Order of Merit of the Italian Republic |
| Website | www |
Francesco Mazzei (born 1973) is an Italian-born chef.[1][2] He is considered as one of the leading Italian chefs in the United Kingdom.[3][4]
Biography
[edit]Mazzei was born in 1973 and raised in Cosenza, Southern Italy.[5][6]
From 2008 to 2015, Mazzei worked for L'Anima, where he served as the chef-patron.[6][7] Before joining L'Anima, he was the head of St. Alban restaurant.[7]
In March 2015, Mazzei joined D&D London and became the head of Sartoria.[7][8] In the same year, Mazzei's debut cookbook, Mezzogiorno: Southern Italian Cooking, was published.[9]
In 2017, Mazzei opened Radici and Fiume for D&D.[10]
In May 2023, Mazzei collaborated with Corinthia Palace in Malta to serve Italian cuisine in the hotel.[11]
Among the dishes developed by him include Pastachina con N'Duja, a lasagna he developed based on the recipe of his mother.[6]
Collaboration with Stanley Tucci and King Charles III
[edit]In February 2025, Francesco Mazzei collaborated with actor Stanley Tucci to design a menu for a black-tie dinner hosted by King Charles III at Highgrove House. The event celebrated Anglo-Italian relations and the Slow Food movement, emphasising sustainability and quality in gastronomy. Mazzei crafted an Italian-inspired menu using predominantly British ingredients, such as Yorkshire-made pecorino and Scottish crab, while the only Italian import was Farchioni olive oil. He expressed being "blown away" by the quality of British produce, noting that the experience "really opened my mind."[12]
Mazzei’s participation in the event was widely covered in the media, with reports highlighting his commitment to sustainable cooking and his influence on British-Italian culinary fusion. His approach to using local ingredients in an Italian-inspired menu was praised as an example of modern gastronomic diplomacy.[13]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Mezzogiorno: Southern Italian Cooking (2015)[9]
Television
[edit]- Celebrity MasterChef[15]
- James Martin's Saturday Morning[16]
- Cooking with the Stars[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Francesco Mazzei on Disneyland's food, cobra curry and his travel life". The Independent. December 11, 2015.
- ^ Sawa, Dale Berning; Sawa, Interview by Dale Berning (December 4, 2015). "Francesco Mazzei's final meal" – via The Guardian.
- ^ Vines, Richard. "Top Italian chef's easy recipe for spaghetti carbonara at home". The Detroit News.
- ^ Vines, Richard (November 28, 2020). "Francesco Mazzei's Beginners' Recipe for Making Pizza Margherita". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ "My addresses: chef-patron Francesco Mazzei on Cosenza, Calabria". Financial Times.
- ^ a b c Vines, Richard (March 26, 2015). "Chef Mazzei Leaves L'Anima Restaurant in London's City District". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b c Vines, Richard (June 17, 2015). "Chef Francesco Mazzei to Head Mayfair Restaurant Sartoria". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ McCoy, Frankie (November 14, 2016). "Francesco Mazzei: To me, leftover food is beautiful". Evening Standard.
- ^ a b Vines, Richard (January 5, 2016). "How to Cook the Best Food Southern Italy Has to Offer". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ Norum, Ben (February 2, 2017). "Francesco Mazzei to launch southern Italian restaurant Radici in N1". Evening Standard.
- ^ "Francesco Mazzei at Villa Corinthia". Corinthia.
- ^ "Stanley Tucci's Italian feast fit for a King – but there was only one Italian ingredient". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "King and Queen to host Stanley Tucci ahead of Italy state visit". BBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Francesco Mazzei, nominato Cavaliere il cuoco che ha conquistato Londra". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ "BBC One - MasterChef, Series 14, Episode 16". BBC.
- ^ https://www.itv.com/watch/james-martins-saturday-morning/2a5159/2a5159a0191
- ^ Power, Ed (August 17, 2021). "The charming Cooking with the Stars ended with a thrilling finale". inews.co.uk.