Massimo Bottura

Chef and Food Systems Activist, Goodwill Ambassador


Biography

Massimo Bottura is a renowned Italian chef and owner of Osteria Francescana, a three Michelin star restaurant in Modena, Italy. He has consistently been listed as one of the world’s best chefs, and is among the 2019 TIME 100 most influential people. Chef Bottura uses his global platform to advocate for the reduction of food waste, for healthy and sustainable food systems, and for the protection of the environment and biodiversity through sustainable cooking practices and ingredient sourcing. 

In 2016, Bottura founded Food for Soul together with his wife Lara Gilmore, a nonprofit organization that runs inspiring food waste, social and cultural initiatives around the globe. His Refettorios are community hubs built in underused spaces, where people in situations of social and economic vulnerability are welcomed and served free nutritious meals cooked with surplus ingredients that would have otherwise been thrown away.

Massimo Bottura

Massimo Bottura


The Latest

Opinion
At the Paris Olympics, the food waste revolution must stay on the podium

This year's Olympics have the potential to revolutionise the way we handle food surplus, Massimo Bottura writes. More

Press release
UNEP appoints renowned Italian chef and food system activist Massimo Bottura as Goodwill Ambassador

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today appointed renowned Italian chef Massimo Bottura as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, in a move designed to step up the fight against the global problem of food waste and loss. More