Giorgio Locatelli - The Tragedy That Nearly Ruined His Career, Getting Bullied In Paris & The Reason Why He Decided To Walk Away From His Michelin Stars!

Giorgio Locatelli - The Tragedy That Nearly Ruined His Career, Getting Bullied In Paris & The Reason Why He Decided To Walk Away From His Michelin Stars!

The Go To Food Podcast · 2025-05-12
01:06:12

This week on The Go-To Food Podcast, we sit down with legendary Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli — the man who helped redefine Italian cuisine in London. From his early training at The Savoy to becoming the first independent Italian chef in the UK to earn a Michelin star, Giorgio takes us through the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments of a career that has shaped the city’s food scene for over four decades.


In this wide-ranging and often hilarious conversation, Giorgio reflects on the golden years of London dining between 1995 and 2005, shares what it was really like walking into one of Gordon’s infamous kitchen meltdowns. He also dives into the now-infamous Truffle Kerfuffle — a billing scandal involving a lavish dinner and a very expensive mushroom — and tells us how he ended up cooking £25k pasta for royalty in the Qatari desert, and how a well-timed delivery ended up making him an unlikely truffle dealer to the King himself


We also talk about his return to TV stardom with MasterChef Italia, why he believes chefs need to stay grounded, and his advice for the next generation entering the industry. Plus, Giorgio shares his favourite go-to restaurants — from a hidden gem in Kentish Town to a no-frills spot in Palermo.


This episode is a masterclass in food, legacy, and keeping your feet on the ground in an ever-changing industry.

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The Go To Food Podcast

The Go-To Food Podcast is where the world’s most influential chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics share the stories behind their craft. Hosted by award-winning presenter Freddy Clode and chef and food writer Ben Benton, this weekly show dives deep into the experiences, inspirations, and “Go-To” favourites that define a life in food. From hidden gems to the restaurants they return to time and again, each episode serves up intrigue, insight, and the untold moments that shaped their journey. With food and drink inspired by their stories, expect stories from the food world, insider knowledge, and a true celebration of food culture at its finest.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • No. of episodes: 114
  • Latest episode: 2025-05-15
  • Arts Food

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