Eataly Japan’s founder brought Mercato Metropolitano to London—this is the one item he’d would be ‘lost’ without 

Here at The Good Life you don’t have to imagine what life at the top looks like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for how the most successful live their lives.

---

Today Fortune meets Andrea Rasca the founder and CEO of London’s hottest hang-out spot right now, Mercato Metropolitano.

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

The chain quickly became a roaring success, Rasca went on to develop 9 branches in just two years before the experience inspired him to bring the food hall-style dining concept to Europe with a twist: This time around, he also wanted to revitalize abandoned urban spaces.

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

£15,000,000

The amount Mercato Mayfair alone is turning over in sales per year.

Next, he tells Fortune 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 area in the city, with good travel connections that had essentially been forgotten.” 

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

Next, he tells Fortune 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 additional sites: In a restored church in Mayfair, on the industrious docklands of Wood Wharf, and most recently, in an unused car park in Ilford.

Its Elephant and Castle business has grown from having five trading partners in the first year, to over 40 pop-up restaurants, bars, and more; Mercato Mayfair alone is turning over £15 million in sales per year; And this summer’s newest site opening in Ilford has already generated 100 new jobs for the community.

---

The finances

Fortune: What’s been the best investment you’ve ever bought?

My best investment ever is my education. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Economics in Italy and Spain, I received a scholarship to be sent to Japan for a year and a half to study Business Administration. I then completed a second Masters at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in Boston, studying International Development and Diplomacy. Since then, I’ve also taken extra courses on Human Rights at Geneva University, and Sustainable Development at SOAS University of London.

Training and investing in formal education are the best things I could’ve done to prepare for the future.

And the worst?

Whilst I haven’t had a bad investment yet as I’m more of an entrepreneur who believes in creating value as opposed to maximizing the profit from an investment, I’ve had many experiences along the way that have taught me invaluable lessons about patience, resilience, adaptability and staying true to myself and my values.

“Training and investing in formal education are the best things I could’ve done to prepare for the future.”

What are your living arrangements like: Swanky apartment in the city or suburban sprawling?

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

How do you commute to work?

I walk! 

Do you carry a wallet?

I carry a small blue leather case which keeps my business cards and one or two credit cards. I don’t tend to carry any cash on me. 

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

Beyond 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.

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 impact the most.”

Where’s your go-to wristwatch from?

It’s a Rolex my father left for me for my graduation. It’s the only one he ever had and he gave it to me. 

The necessities

How do you get your daily coffee fix?

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

What about eating on the go?

I travel a lot so it’s difficult to find delicious food that is also healthy. I try to eat lots of fruits, salads and vegetables when I’m on the go. When I’m on the move in London, I try to eat some fruit, protein and carbs in the right balance, and I try to eat very light in the day. I love my dinner—it’s not just about 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 groceries?

I buy my groceries from small businesses that I know store sustainable food, as well as independent butchers and fishmongers with direct connections to local producers, so I know exactly where the meat is sourced from. I tend to avoid big chain supermarkets as much as possible.

How often in a week do you dine out versus cook at home?

It depends on how busy my schedule is. So I would say that 70% of the time I eat out, sometimes directly in my markets, of course, which I created on purpose for this reason. But 30% of my time, I eat at home. I love cooking and sharing my food at home with my family and friends—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 clothing, I have a similar approach to food. I go to small entrepreneurs and artisans—I tend to have my wardrobe tailor-made as I believe in supporting local artisans who pour their heart and soul into their craft. In Italy, we have a big culture of craftsmanship, and you can get clothes tailor-made 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. 

The treats

Are you the proud owner of any futuristic gadgets?

No, I am quite old school. Instead, I am the proud owner of a number of fountain pens and notebooks which I use constantly.

How do you unwind from the top job?

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

And although my work is deeply fulfilling, I make sure to create space for personal activities to recharge, like going for walks, playing tennis with friends and reading. Some of 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 bought yourself?

I’m an entrepreneur so I don’t get bonuses. But the best thing I brought myself recently was a one-week detox trip in the Dolomites. This is something I haven’t done for the past five or six years, so it was great to reconnect with the amazing nature around me and just relax.

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

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

Here at The Good Life you don’t have to imagine what life at the top looks like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for how the most successful live life.

Fortune wants to hear from European leaders on what their “Good Life” looks like. Get in touch: orianna.royle@fortune.com