Antonio Carluccio, TV chef and
founder of the popular British chain of Italian restaurants of
the same name, has died at the age of 80.
Salerno-born Carluccio, dubbed the Godfather of Italian
gastronomy, opened his first eatery in London in 1981 and went
on to form the Carluccio's Caffe' chain across the UK. He got an
OBE in 2007 after years of appearing on TV.
Jamie Oliver, who worked in Carluccio's first restaurant
before becoming a household name, paid an emotional tribute to
the master chef on Instagram.
"Hi guys, with great sadness I've heard that Antonio
Carluccio passed away this morning.
"He was my first London boss at the Neal Street restaurant 25
years ago which was an institution and Mecca of wild mushrooms
where I had the pleasure of working for him.
"He was such a charismatic charming don of all things
Italian!! Always hanging out the front door of the restaurant
with a big fat Cigar a glass of something splendid and his
amazing fuzzy white hair."
Oliver credited Carluccio for getting him "hooked" on pasta
and said that he found him "so very inspirational".
"I also had the pleasure of making and producing his TV show
the Two Greedy Italians with his life long best friend and
partner in crime @gennarocontaldo who were hilarious together!!"
he added.
"He was an amazing food ambassador that will be sorely
missed.
"My love goes out to his partner Sabina his family and his
dear and close friends on this very sad day. Viva Antonio
Carluccio. Cook a feast up there mate."
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