What would you do if you had a six figure salary? Maybe you’d never cook another meal or enjoy a monthly Thai massage and Soho House membership to de-stress from being on your A game.
here The Good Life you no longer have to imagine what life at the top is like: Get real-life inspiration on how the most successful people live their lives.
today luck Andrea Rasca meets the founder and CEO of London’s hottest hangout right now, 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, turned being a foodie into a career and founded Eataly in Tokyo.
The chain quickly became a success, Rasca developed 9 branches in just two years, until the experience inspired him to bring the concept of food hall-style dining to Europe with a tour: this time, he also wanted to revive abandoned urbanism. the spaces
In 2015, he created the first Mercato Metropolitano in the forgotten corners of an exhibition in Milan. It had 2.5 million visitors in four months.
£15,000,000
Mercato Mayfair alone is turning sales a year.
Next, he tells luck he wanted to test the model in “one of the most competitive food markets in the world – London”.
“I was specifically looking for a derelict building in a convenient part of the city that had been essentially forgotten with good travel connections.”
And just like that, the chain’s most famous site opened a year later in an old paper factory in Elefante and Castle.
Next, he tells luck he wanted to test the model in “one of the most competitive food markets in the world – London”.
In just eight years, Rasca has opened three more sites: in a restored church in Mayfair, in the working docks of Wood Wharf, and most recently in a disused car park in Ilford.
His Elephant and Castle business has grown from five trading partners in the first year to 40 restaurants, bars and more; Mercato Mayfair alone makes over £15 million a year; And the newest site, which opened in Ilford this summer, has already created 100 new jobs for the community.
Finances
Luck: What was the best investment you ever made?
My best investment is my education. After completing my BA in Economics in Italy and Spain, I received a scholarship to go to Japan to study Business Administration for a year and a half. I then completed a second master’s degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at 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.
Investing in training and formal education are the best things I could do to prepare for the future.
And the worst?
Although I have yet to make a bad investment, as I am an entrepreneur who believes in creating value rather than maximizing returns on an investment, I have had many experiences along the way that have taught me invaluable lessons about patience. , resilience, adaptability and being true to myself and my values.
“Training and investing in formal education are the best things I could do to prepare for the future.”
What are your living arrangements like: glamorous city apartment or suburban sprawl?
I’m definitely a city boy. That’s why it’s called Movimento Metropolitano — because I love the metropolis and want to influence it the most.
How do you go to work?
I’m walking!
Do you carry a wallet?
I carry a small blue leather case that holds my business cards and a credit card or two. I don’t usually carry cash.
What personal finance advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Beyond investing in education, I would advise my younger self to build strong relationships and networks. These connections often lead to unexpected opportunities and partnerships that can be just as valuable as a formal education.
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
My gym: being healthy and fit is fundamental for our body and mind.
“I love the metropolis and that’s where I want to influence the most.”
Where is your wristwatch from?
It’s a Rolex my dad left me for graduation. It’s the only one he ever had and he gave it to me.
the needs
How do you get your daily coffee?
I’m Italian so I’m addicted to my Mocha. I buy organic espresso beans and grind them myself. This is the first thing I do every morning and once the wonderful smell of coffee starts wafting through the kitchen, that’s when the day begins. Without this, I would be lost, like 99% of Italians!
What about eating on the go?
I travel a lot, so it’s hard to find delicious food that’s healthy. I try to eat lots of fruits, salads and vegetables when I’m on the go. When I move around London, I try to eat the right balance of fruit, protein and carbohydrates, and I try to eat very lightly during the day. I love my dinner; it’s not just eating, it’s a social moment and a very important part of our daily routine to enjoy a meal with friends or family.
Where do you buy your groceries?
I buy my food from small businesses that stock sustainable food, as well as independent butchers and fishmongers who have direct relationships with local producers, so I know exactly where the meat comes from. I tend to avoid large chain supermarkets as much as possible.
How many times a week do you eat dinner at home rather than cook?
It depends on how busy my schedule is. So I would say that I eat out 70% of the time, sometimes directly in my markets, of course, which I have created for this purpose. But 30% of my time, I eat at home. I love to cook and share my food with family and friends at home; I find it very therapeutic and good for my mental health.
And my go-to dish would probably be Spaghetti aglio e olio, it’s my comfort food!
Where do you shop for your work wardrobe?
With clothes, I have a similar approach to food. I go to small entrepreneurs and artisans, I tend to have my wardrobe custom made because I support local artisans who put their heart and soul into their craft. In Italy, we have a great craft culture, and you can get custom-made clothes for a third of the price. I don’t buy from big brands or chains because I don’t think the price matches the value of what you’re buying.
gifts
Are you the proud owner of a futuristic gadget?
No, I’m pretty old school. Instead, I am the proud owner of a few pens and notebooks that I use constantly.
How do you disconnect from the above work?
This is a difficult question because I don’t see my work as working. Rather it is my passion. So when I taste new foods or identify a new concept I take a break to share with others later. I relax when I see happy people around me.
And while my work is very satisfying, I make sure to create space to recharge for personal activities like hiking, playing tennis with friends, and reading. My current reads include An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi, Edible Economics by Ha-Joon Chang, and Magnificent Rebels: The First Romantics and the Invention of the Self by Andrea Wulf.
What’s the best bonus treat you’ve ever bought yourself?
I’m an entrepreneur, so I don’t get a bonus. But the best thing I brought back recently was a week long detox trip in the Dolomites. It’s something I haven’t done in the last five or six years, so it was wonderful to reconnect with the amazing 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 amazing food, drink great wine and spend time with the whole family in a country full of rich history.
Here at The Good Life you no longer have to imagine what life at the top is like: Get real-life inspiration from how the most successful live.
Fortune wants to hear from Europe’s leaders what their “Good Life” looks like. Contact: orianna.royle@fortune.com
