For professionals working at the highest level, switching off is rarely simple. For Michelin-starred chef Simone Zanoni, the answer lies far from the kitchen, it lies on the racetrack, behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

 

Best known for his refined yet authentic approach to Italian cuisine, Zanoni has built a career defined by precision and passion. That same mindset carries over into his time on track, where driving offers a structured escape from the intensity of fine dining. Zanoni’s story begins in the Lombardy region of Italy, where he grew up on a farm and developed an early appreciation for high-quality, seasonal ingredients. His grandmother played a central role in shaping his connection to traditional Italian cooking, an influence that continues to define his culinary philosophy today.

 

After formal training, Zanoni honed his skills in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, including Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, the only restaurant in London to hold three Michelin stars at the time. His career reached another milestone in 2016 when he took over Le George. Under his leadership, the restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2017. That same year, Zanoni introduced a 3,000-square-meter vegetable garden in Versailles to supply the restaurant, a move that reflected his desire to reconnect with his agricultural roots while maintaining a modern culinary standard.

 

Precision Beyond the Kitchen

 

While his professional life revolves around discipline and creativity, Zanoni’s passion for Porsche offers a different kind of outlet. His interest in driving dates back to his childhood, inspired by mountain racing in his home region.

 

Today, when time allows, he trades the demands of the kitchen for the controlled intensity of the racetrack. Driving the 911 GT3 RS, a model engineered for high-performance circuit use, Zanoni finds a similar rhythm to cooking - where focus, timing, and consistency are critical.

 

On track, the variables shift from ingredients and plating to braking points and cornering lines. Yet the underlying principle remains the same: a pursuit of perfection through repetition and refinement. For Zanoni, the racetrack is more than a hobby. It’s a deliberate way to reset, offering clarity and balance away from the pressures of a Michelin-starred kitchen. As the worlds of high-performance cuisine and precision driving intersect, his story reflects a broader truth. Mastery, regardless of the field, often follows the same path.

 

In a recent Q&A, Simone Zanoni provided his answers to a range of questions, giving a glimpse into his approach both in and out of the kitchen. Now we'd like to hear yours! 

 

What is love?
The intensity and energy you feel when a dish is just as successful as you imagined it.

 

How are you?
I never stop moving. That’s how I stay alert, focused, and full of life.

 

The Porsche 911 in three words?
Timeless, precise, emotional.

 

Which simple things can make you happy?
A perfect espresso, jogging at sunset, fresh bread with olive oil.

 

What would you never do in a 911?
Drive it without respect. A 911 is engineering culture.

 

What’s your favorite road?
The Tonale Pass in Italy.

 

What can distract you?
New ideas for dishes.

 

Three things you would take to a desert island?
A knife, a pan, and the sound of a Porsche engine.

 

Is there a historical figure you admire?
Enzo Ferrari.

 

What on a 911 could you do without?
The screens.

 

And what couldn’t you?
The movement, the dynamism, the action - standing still for too long makes me crazy.

 

What music did you wake up to this morning?

Italian jazz – something soft before you switch to racing mode.

 

Your favorite film?
Le Mans with Steve McQueen.

 

Your favorite book?
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.

 

Where do you long to be?
On a racecourse early in the morning, before everyone else gets there.

 

Your most treasured possession?
My knife and my racing helmet. Both represent discipline and precision.

 

Your secret?
I view my life as a racing strategy and plan energy, risks, and relaxation carefully - in the kitchen and on the racecourse.

 

The 911 moment of your life?
The first lap I drove in a 911 GT3 RS - unforgettable. 

 

Your best advice?
Always give it your all. Go big or go home.

 

What would no one expect of you?
That I’m extremely disciplined and structured.