Episode 8 Food & Travel Legends: Massimo Bottura & His Beloved Modena

This week on Passport to Everywhere, Melissa sits down with world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura at Casa Maria Luigia, the intimate 12-bedroom country house he and his wife run in his hometown of Modena, Italy. He shares how he combined his favorite things – art, music, and, of course, great food – to transform this once-overgrown property into a home away from home for guests. In this episode Massimo will reveal his first food memories, he’ll spill the details of his school days with Marco Bizzarri, the CEO of Gucci, and you’ll learn the sources of inspiration for his renowned restaurants, which serve classic Italian dishes with a modern twist and rebellious spirit. These include his landmark three-Michelin star restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena (voted the number one restaurant in the world in 2016 and 2018), and the international Gucci Osteria collection in Beverly Hills, Tokyo, and Seoul. Massimo’s culinary genius and passion for hospitality extends far beyond internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels. Learn how he parlays his passion for food to give back through his non-profits, Food for Soul and Tortellante. 

Don’t miss: Massimo shares what you can do to mitigate food waste and his tips for the perfect visit to Modena or, as he fondly refers to it, “the land of slow food and fast cars.”

Click here to learn more about Food for Soul’s Refettorio Network, which has rapidly expanded from Italy into 9 countries – including the United States. This Winter, Refettorio Harlem on 119th street will finish its major interior renovation and open to the public! 

You can support Food for Soul’s global development here and can follow their activities on Instagram @foodforsoul_it. Plus, check out some of the delicious recipes being cooked up in each Refettorio at www.cookingisanactoflove.org, including some specialties by chef Massimo and the Francesanca family.