Episode
The Blue Zone Diet Explained: Chef Francesco Mattana on Sardinian Cooking & Living to 100
- Podcast
- The Recipe
- Published
- Jan 2, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2766
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://episode.flightcast.com/01KD62FHKKZQZGW5YVH1AWTRJR.mp3
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Summary
In this episode, Theo is joined by the brilliant Francesco Mattana, a Sardinian chef whose passion for wholesome, traditional cooking has captured millions online. After years of cooking across the world and leading Jamie Oliver's Cookery School, Francesco is now preparing to release his debut cookbook, Live Like a Sardinian: Live To 100 (available for pre-order now: https://www.ourcookingjourney.com/my-cookbook.html) From opening his own restaurant in Brisbane at just 21 to becoming a social media sensation, Francesco shares his incredible journey and the food philosophy that defines him. Francesco prepares his beloved Live to 100 Minestrone, a traditional Sardinian soup that embodies the famous Blue Zone diet and changes with the seasons. Using his aunt's homemade sun-dried tomatoes, a classic sofrito, seasonal vegetables including Savoy cabbage and potatoes, chickpeas, borlotti beans, and fregula pasta, Francesco demonstrates how this simple yet nourishing dish has been a staple in Sardinian households for generations. Throughout the episode, Francesco discusses the secrets of Sardinian cuisine, the importance of cooking with seasonal ingredients, the art of preserving foods like sun-dried tomatoes, and why the Blue Zone diet is about so much more than just what you eat - it's about community, family meals, balance, and taking time to enjoy food together. From his early days working at Jamie's Italian to teaching thousands at Jamie Oliver's Cookery School, Francesco's passion for sharing authentic Italian cooking shines through every story. You can find more delicious recipes on the Filippo Berio website at www.filippoberio.co.uk/theo. The Recipe podcast is hosted by Theo Randall, Chef Patron at the Theo Randall Cucina Italiana. In each episode we meet a special gue…