#359 Franck Sammut | Upper Middle

#359 Franck Sammut | Upper Middle

From Conversation with a chef by Jo Rittey

May 18, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

Jo Rittey interviews Franck Sammut about his new restaurant Upper Middle and his journey in hospitality.

I sat down with Franck Sammut, the quietly charismatic force behind Upper Middle in South Melbourne, a new baguette and pizza spot that already feels like a neighbourhood favourite. Franck has spent his whole life in hospitality, from working in his dad’s restaurant as a teenager to decades on the floor in some of Melbourne’s most iconic venues. Now he’s finally opened a place of his own, built on warmth, good bread, and the kind of genuine service people are craving right now. We talked about the joy and chaos of starting a business, the art of keeping things simple, the personalities that make a great team, and what it means to create a space where people feel looked after. It’s a conversation that gives a clear sense of who Franck is and what he’s trying to build and I loved it.

People in this episode

Host: Jo Rittey

Guest: Franck Sammut

Topics covered

  • hospitality
  • business
  • community
  • food
  • service

Keywords

  • Franck Sammut
  • Upper Middle
  • South Melbourne
  • hospitality
  • restaurant
  • pizza
  • baguette
  • service
  • community

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Upper Middle

Places: South Melbourne

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