Hospitality world pays tribute to Antonio Carluccio

Hundreds of chefs, critics and restauranteurs have paid tribute to Antonio Carluccio following the news of his death yesterday.

Antonio Carluccio wrote 22 cookbooks over the course of his career

The world-renowned chef died after a fall at his home on Wednesday 8 November.

Carluccio, who founded restaurant group Carluccio’s in 1999, owned restaurants in Britain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and wrote 22 cookbooks over the course of his career, was known as the “godfather” of classic Italian cooking.

Neil Wickers, chief executive of Carluccio’s restaurants, told the drinks business that Antonio was “a huge inspiration” with a zest for life and sense of humour which will be deeply missed by the executive board.

“It isn’t just Antonio’s name above our doors,” he said “his heart and soul lives and breathes throughout our business.”

“The loss of Antonio will be felt by all our team, especially to those who have been with him from the beginning and our thoughts are with them, his family and friends.”

Since the news broke, there has been an outpouring of tributes from the hospitality industry.

Biographer James Steen took to Twitter to share his memories of interviewing Antonio, in which the chef describes his perfect last meal.

Remembering lovely @CookCarluccio and how he described his ‘final meal’ to me… pic.twitter.com/DAUJhJ8DDw

— James Steen (@JamesSteen100) November 8, 2017

“I’d like it to be set in the middle of the Italian countryside, beneath a pergola” said Carluccio, before going on to choose a rustic lunch of spaghettini with cherry tomatoes and basil, offal ragout with rice, and “one peach picked directly from the tree.”

“I would bite into it and — whoosh! — the taste would take me straight back to my childhood.”

Chefs meanwhile, paid their own tributes. Jamie Oliver, who worked with Carluccio in the 1990s, shared his experiences on Instagram, including a short clip from an episode of Two Greedy Italians where the late chef muses on life, death and nature.

This is a beautiful scene that we shot for Two Greedy Italians that I think says a lot. Rest in peace Antonio Carluccio. X

A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) on Nov 8, 2017 at 12:07pm PST

“He was my first London Boss at the Neal Street restaurant 25 years ago,” said the celebrity chef, who hailed Carluccio as “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 .”

“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 🙏xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.”

Chef Gino D’Acampo wrote on Twitter: “I’d like to dedicate tonight’s episode of ‘Italian Coastal Escape’ to my good friend Antonio @CookCarluccio.

Nigella Lawson also shared her condolences in Italian: “Riposi in pace.”

Waitrose chef Will Torrent tweeted that Carluccio was “the godfather and King of italian cuisine.

“The world just got a little less bright.”

Carluccio was also known for his love of mushrooms, even going as far to write that he was planning to stage a ballet based on the ingredient.

One well-wisher, broadcaster Matthew Sweet, shared a screenshot describing the plan.

Would this be the moment to ask if Antonio Carluccio ever realised his dream of producing a ballet about mushrooms? pic.twitter.com/fcu57G2ge1

— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) November 9, 2017