Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy | Preview (ITV1)

Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy sees the Michelin-starred chef embark on his most ambitious journey yet, meeting people who are as obsessed with growing, farming and harvesting ingredients as he is about cooking them.

Travelling through glorious Italy in his bespoke vintage food truck, Tom gets to know passionate growers and producers across six breathtaking regions boasting mountains and dense forests to rolling hills and olive groves - from Sicily and the Deep South of Calabria and Puglia, to the Northern Dolomites and Emilia-Romagna - discovering the produce that makes each region tick.

Uncovering traditions and generations of knowledge and the - often centuries-old - secrets behind beloved produce like Pasta, Blood Oranges, Calabrian Chilis, Passata, Truffles and Chestnuts, Tom is always ready to get stuck in with the hard work it takes to produce them.

After soaking up all the passion and knowledge of his hosts, by way of thanks before he’s back on the road, Tom cooks up a delicious recipe in each location that celebrates their produce.

From Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Fig and Olive Oil Cake to Rocket Pesto Chicken Parmigiana, Tom’s easy-to-follow recipes take the flavours and ingredients of Italy and celebrate them in his own style – sharing how to turn Italy’s incredible produce into mouthwatering dishes.

Host Tom Kerridge says: “I’m super excited and chuffed to be on my food travels again. This time we’re heading to Italy, where I've discovered so many great producers, farmers,and suppliers with some of the most wonderful, simple but outstanding products. Italian food isn’t just a cuisine - it’s a religion - dishes aren’t just cooked, they are a lived experience...

"I’m looking forward to showing viewers what I've created and sharing some accessible recipes that everybody can use to bring a taste of Italy into their homes.”

In the first two Tom Kerridge Cooks series, Tom travelled through Britain and Spain - from Cornwall to Scotland and Catalonia to Andalucía, exploring how the prized ingredients of each region are properly honoured and enjoyed by locals. Calling in on producers to work alongside them, Tom learned their secrets before cooking their dedicated teams a well-earned meal.

Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy begins Thursday 16th July at 7:30pm on ITV1.