Born and raised in Calabria, Chef Francesco Mazzei started his food career very early when he worked at his uncle’s gelateria from the age of nine, and has since worked in restaurants all over the world, including Rome, Bangkok and London. A familiar face on television through his regular appearances on the likes of James Martin Saturday Kitchen, MasterChef, Hell’s Kitchen Italy, SnackMasters, and more recently on CNN with Stanley Tucci.
In 2015, Francesco took up the position of chef patron at D&D Sartoria on Saville Row, Mayfair, with his other London restaurants Radici and Fiume soon to follow. He has also published his first cookbook, which specialises in southern Italian cooking, Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei.
Why choose Welsh Lamb?
For Francesco, Welsh Lamb is the natural choice when cooking with this classic meat.
I am fascinated by Welsh Lamb and how the meat is so tender, so when I had the opportunity to see for myself how Welsh farmers look after their flocks, what the lambs eat and where they spend their day, it has made me appreciate it even more.
I love cooking with Welsh Lamb because of the flavour it brings to each dish and it is particularly tender. It is fantastic to know I have this quality product on my doorstep, but straight from the Welsh mountains. It is a great story to tell my customers and my chefs when I am at my restaurants in London.
Francesco’s Italian Welsh Lamb dishes.
Discover four of Francesco’s delicious Welsh Lamb dishes, each inspired by his Italian heritage.
Francesco Mazzei’s pan-fried Welsh Lamb involtini
A simple yet impressive dish of rolled escalopes of Welsh Lamb cannon, stuffed with a pancetta, breadcrumb and herb filling, served on fluffy mashed potato, and topped with pickled mushrooms.
Francesco Mazzei’s pulled Welsh Lamb piadina mozzarella
Classic Italian street food with a Welsh twist. Welsh Lamb shoulder, cooked slowly and served in a simple ‘piadina’ flatbread with a piquant and garlicky tomato sauce, refreshing pickled cucumber and creamy mozzarella. A great dish to share with friends and family.
Francesco Mazzei’s braised Welsh Lamb shank risotto
Welsh Lamb shanks cooked slowly ‘ossobuco’ style for tender, melt in the mouth results. Served with a creamy risotto and finished with a zesty gremolada, this dish is simply sublime.
Francesco Mazzei’s Welsh Lamb sausage with polenta and Tuscan cannellini beans
The ultimate sausage and beans dish! Calabrian style sausage made with Welsh Lamb mince, served on a bed of creamy polenta and herby cannellini beans. A great marriage between Welsh and Italian cooking.
Feeling inspired? Discover a wealth of Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef recipes here.