The founder of Eataly Japan brought Mercato Metropolitano to London—this is the item he would have ‘lost’ without

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Today Luck Meet Andrea Rasca, founder and CEO of London’s hottest hangout spot, Mercato Metropolitano.

The 58-year-old Italian businessman has worked in the food and sustainability sector for the past 35 years. It was in Japan, where he studied, that he turned his passion for food into a career and went on to co-found Eataly in Tokyo.

The chain quickly became a huge success, with Rasca going on to grow nine branches in just two years before the experience inspired him to bring the food hall-style dining concept to Europe with a turning point: This time, he also wanted to revive the abandoned urban space.

In 2015, he founded the first Mercato Metropolitano in the forgotten corners of an exhibition in Milan. In just four months, it had 2.5 million visitors.

Next, he told Luck he wanted to test the model “in one of the most competitive food markets in the world – London”.

“I was specifically looking for an abandoned building in a convenient part of the city, with good transport links but essentially forgotten.”

And just like that, the chain’s most famous location opened a year later in a former abandoned paper mill in Elephant and Castle.

In just eight years, Rasca has opened three more locations: In a restored church in Mayfair, on the dockyard of Wood Wharf, and most recently in a disused car park in Ilford.

Its Elephant and Castle business has grown from having five trade partners in its first year to more than 40 pop-up restaurants, bars etc. Mercato Mayfair alone turns over more than £15 million per year. year; And the latest site to open this summer in Ilford has created 100 new jobs for the community.

Finance

Luck: What is the best investment you have ever made?

My best investment is education. After completing the Bachelor of Economics program in Italy and Spain, I received a scholarship to study Business Administration in Japan for 1 and a half years. I then completed a second Master’s degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in Boston, studying International Development and Diplomacy. Since then, I have also taken additional courses in Human Rights at the University of Geneva and Sustainable Development at SOAS University in London.

Training and investing in formal education is the best thing I can do to prepare for the future.

And the worst thing?

While I have not yet made a bad investment as I am an entrepreneur who believes in creating value rather than maximizing returns from an investment, I have had many experiences along the way that have taught me invaluable lessons about patience. , resilience, adaptability and staying true to yourself and your values.

What’s your living arrangement like: Luxury apartment in the city or sprawling suburbs?

I’m definitely a city guy. That’s why it’s called Movimento Metropolitano—because I love this metropolis and it’s where I want to have the most impact.

What means of transportation do you use to get to work?

I walk!

Do you carry your wallet?

I carry a small blue leather case for business cards and a credit card or two. I don’t tend to carry cash with me.

What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

In addition to investing in education, I would advise my younger self to focus on building strong relationships and networks. These connections often lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations that can be just as valuable as a formal education.

Which subscription can’t you live without?

My gym — being healthy and fit is fundamental for our body and mind.

Where does your favorite watch come from?

It was the Rolex my father left me for my graduation. It was the only one he had and he gave it to me.

Necessities

How do you get your daily coffee fix?

I’m Italian so I’m addicted to Moka. I buy organic espresso beans and grind them myself. This is the first thing I do every morning and when the wonderful aroma of coffee begins to spread in the kitchen, only then does the day begin. Without this I would be lost, like 99% of Italians!

What about eating and drinking on the go?

I travel a lot so it’s hard to find delicious and healthy food. I try to eat lots of fruits, salads, and vegetables on the go. When traveling to London, I try to eat some fruit, protein and carbs in the right balance and try to eat very light throughout the day. I love my dinner—it’s not just about eating, it’s also a social moment and a very important part of our daily routine to enjoy a meal with friends or family.

Where do you buy groceries?

I buy my groceries from small businesses that I know store food sustainably, as well as independent butchers and fishmongers with direct links to local producers, so I know exactly what to do. meat origin. I tend to avoid large supermarket chains as much as possible.

How often do you eat out versus cooking at home in a week?

It depends on how busy my schedule is. So I would say 70% of the time I eat out, of course sometimes directly at my markets, which I intentionally created for this reason. But 30% of my time is eating at home. I love cooking and sharing food at home with family and friends – I find this very helpful and good for my mental health.

And my favorite dish would probably be Spaghetti aglio e olio—it’s my favorite dish!

Where do you buy your work wardrobe?

With clothes, I take a similar approach to food. I go to small entrepreneurs and artisans — I tend to design my own wardrobe because I believe in supporting local artisans who pour their heart and soul into their craft. In Italy we have a big artisan culture and you can buy designer clothes for a third of the price. I don’t buy from big brands or chains because I don’t think the price corresponds to the value of what you’re buying.

Dishes

Are you the proud owner of any of these futuristic gadgets?

No, I’m quite old. Instead, I am the proud owner of several fountain pens and notebooks that I use regularly.

How do you relax from top work?

This is a difficult question because I don’t consider my job a job. Rather it is my passion. So I relax when I taste a new dish or identify a new concept that I can then share with others. I relax when I see people around me happy.

And even though my job is very satisfying, I still make sure to create space for personal activities to recharge, like going for walks, playing tennis with friends, and reading. Some books I’m currently reading include Zeinab Badawi’s African History, Ha-Joon Chang’s Edible Economics, and The Great Rebels: The First Romantics and Invention out himself by Andrea Wulf.

What’s the best reward you’ve bought for yourself?

I’m a businessman so I don’t get a bonus. But the best thing I brought with me recently was a week-long detox trip in the Dolomites. This is something I haven’t done in the last 5 or 6 years, so it was nice to reconnect with the wonderful nature around me and relax.

Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your holiday list?

For my next trip, I’m going to Sicily to enjoy great food, drink great wine, and spend time with the whole family in a country full of rich history.

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