Antonio Carluccio, ‘the godfather of Italian cooking’ dies at the age of 80

Antonio Carluccio is a well-known Italian Chef. (Source: AP)

Known as the Godfather of Italian cooking, celebrity chef and restaurateur Antonio Carluccio dies at the age of 80. He had written more than a dozen best-selling books and in 2012 he launched his memoirs.

Carluccio, had catered to the likes of Prince Charles and Mick Jagger. His first restaurant in the UK was patronised by Prince Charles and Sir Elton John. The restaurant also launched the career of another celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who took to Instagram to pay tribute to the Italian food connoisseur.

Calling him his “first London boss’, he posted “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. The image here is from his great cook book that first got me hooked on Pasta which I found so very inspirational and drove me to work for him.”

Together they starred in BBC’s “Two Greedy Italians”, a TV series, which showcased how Italy’s food society had evolved over the years. Oliver also shared an excerpt of the video on Instagram.

Carluccio’s restaurant chain has expanded across the UK and operates from more than 80 locations. Although in 2005, he sold his interest, he still maintained an involvement with the restaurant chain.

During his lifetime, he also won many accolades from the Italian government. In 1998, he was appointed commendatore, which is the equivalent of a British knighthood and in 2007, an OBE from the Queen for his services to the catering industry.

Condolences poured out for the master chef in Twitter as well:

One of my favourite photographs of anything anywhere is this one of Antonio Carluccio eating pasta out of a WHOLE PARMESAN WHEEL pic.twitter.com/Fv1c2mBvoV

— sarahshenker (@sarahshenker) November 8, 2017

A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven..Sincere condolences. R.I.P A.Carluccio pic.twitter.com/yDfTqMAKWO

— VESAKAMSITE (@ReiSurvivor) November 8, 2017

Antonio carluccio RIP chef
U where my idol pic.twitter.com/hbvgXNhsMs

— Olianas (@gustoitalianouk) November 8, 2017

RIP, Antonio Carluccio.