TV chef Tom Kerridge has described his journey across Italy for his new food programme as “genuinely an honour”. The 52-year-old Michelin-starred chef will star in Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy, a six-part series airing on ITV1 from July 16 at 7.30pm, also available on ITVX.
A Dream Come True for a Chef
Kerridge, who owns the two-Michelin-starred The Hand And Flowers and the Michelin-starred The Coach in Marlow, said he is “super excited and chuffed” to return to his food travels. He reflected on how “magical” it was to explore the country in a vintage food truck, meeting growers and producers. “For a chef, it’s a dream come true being able to hang out with producers and suppliers that have care and heart and soul for produce. The same way that chefs want to cook it,” he said.
Italy's Passion-Driven Food Culture
Kerridge emphasised that Italy’s food culture is “driven by passion”. He noted: “The country is a place that has so many people with a passion for life, for conversation, for work, for everything that they do. A lot of it revolves around food, it revolves around lunch and dinner. This is reflected in the simplicity of dishes, and the way that those flavour profiles are driven by the actual produce. It’s all brought together by the passion of people.”
Exploring Italy's Regions and Produce
The series, supported by M&S, will see Kerridge visit Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, the Northern Dolomites, and Emilia-Romagna. Each 30-minute episode focuses on a specific ingredient, such as pasta, blood oranges, Calabrian chillies, passata, truffles, and chestnuts. Kerridge will cook a recipe using the local produce he discovers. “Italian food isn’t just a cuisine – it’s a religion – dishes aren’t just cooked, they are a lived experience,” he added. “I’m looking forward to showing viewers what I’ve created and sharing some accessible recipes that everybody can use to bring a taste of Italy into their homes.”
Kerridge's TV Career and Background
The series follows Tom Kerridge Cooks Britain (2024) and Tom Kerridge Cooks Spain (last year). Kerridge, born in Salisbury, has also appeared as a judge on BBC’s Great British Menu, where he was a contestant in 2010 and 2011. He has hosted numerous shows on pubs, health, and the hospitality industry.
