Vault Episode 11: Matteo Sogne

A small town in Italy where balsamic vinegar and Ferrari share the same air taught Matteo two things: food should slow time, and precision is a kind of love. That’s the heartbeat of this conversation—a founder who brought his family to Utah to build a restaurant that feels like Sunday lunch, where you leave knowing your people a little better.We dig into the moments that forged his approach: learning endurance in open water, sharpening his problem-solving with math and economics, and choosing a culinary path that favors heritage over hype. Matteo explains why he keeps dishes to a handful of impeccable ingredients, how he spent years securing an award-winning Parmigiano Reggiano from dairy No. 168, and what it takes to make a classic like lasagna feel new without changing a thing. There’s joy in the craft too: the cult-favorite whipped brie, the notorious puttanata born from a friendly kitchen argument, and a Banksy-inspired cheesecake that tips its hat to the invisible artists behind every plate.This is also a family story. His mother bakes focaccia at sunrise and runs the books with the rigor of a former credit director. His father calibrates service like a seasoned CFO, guarding quality in the heat of the pass. Their team treats the kitchen as a studio, experimenting, refining, and adding dishes only when they meet a shared standard. We talk about opening day with zero marketing, the compounding power of word of mouth, and why Ninth South’s human-scale energy is the right fit for hospitality that lingers.Looking ahead, Matteo sketches a vision for affordable excellence—an Italian concept that widens access without lowering the bar—and teases Italian brunch with a white-chocolate hollandaise that still haunts his dreams. If you believe food should connect people, not just feed them, you’ll find a lot to savor here. Listen, share it with a friend who loves authentic Italian, and leave a quick review so more curious eaters can discover the show.50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Visit www.luxeautomotive.com or use this link to request a quote Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time Support the showSmall Lake City Calendar, add for all the events coming up straight to your iCal, Google Calendar, or Outlook: https://42b1ul.share-na2.hsforms.com/2NEaCwuBsSH-fY1z5Hr7DkgJoin the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeKSubscribe to the Newsletter! https://www.smalllakepod.com/newsletter-landing-pageInstagram: @smalllakepodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcastTikTok: @smalllakepod