I want to extend my gratitude to The Elsa Kurt Show for the fantastic interview we had the other day. It was a great opportunity to discuss my book, Cooking Inspired. I am truly humbled. You can listen to the entire show by clicking the link at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
The Story
A chef’s story can be inspiring, but Chef Franco Lania’s story goes far beyond the kitchen. He is an award-winning chef, culinary educator, and entrepreneur who owns his own travel company called Tavola Tours. He has cooked at the highest levels, from elite restaurants to luxury cruise lines. He’s also a 9/11 survivor. He was evacuated from Tower Two and shares what that morning felt like from the inside. Including the chaos, the noise, and the long, frightening hours it took to get home to his pregnant wife with no way to contact anyone.
The Book
We talk about why he chose to write a memoir, “Cooking Inspired: Design Your Dish, Design Your Life,” instead of a cookbook. And how cooking can become a practical way to care for your mind when stress, anxiety, or depression pulls you off track. Franco takes us back to the unlikely start of his career, when his dad pushed him into a job at a gourmet supermarket after a painful family divorce. And how that early structure led to the discipline and accountability he later learned in Michelin-level kitchens.
From there, we get honest about purpose, legacy, and faith. Franco explains how trauma can shake your beliefs, what helped him find his way back through church community. And how his “Design Your Dish, Design Your Life” mindset connects food to a life built with intention. We also dig into the differences between American and European food culture, ingredients, and portion sizes, plus his boutique Italy culinary travel experiences through Tavola Tours.
If you care about resilience, mindful cooking, culinary storytelling, and finding meaning after hardship, you’ll want this conversation in your ears. Click below to hear the full interview.
Buy a copy of Cooking Inspired today from the Barnes & Noble website.
