Antonio Carluccio dead: Italian chef and restaurant chain founder dies aged 80

Italian cook and TV personality had career spanning more than 50 years

Italian chef and restaurant chain founder Antonio Carluccio has died, aged 80.

Regarded as a “Godfather” of Italian cooking, the TV personality had a career spanning back more than 50 years.

Carluccio, who founded the British restaurant chain Carluccio’s in 1999, is well-known for his partnership with fellow chef Gennaro Contaldo and their BBC television series Two Greedy Italians.

He is reported to have died after a fall at his home.

In 1981, Carluccio opened the Neal Street Restaurant in Covent Garden, London, where celebrity chef Jamie Oliver went on to launch his professional career.

He was appointed Commendatore by the Italian Government in 1998 for services rendered to Italy – the equivalent of a British knighthood.

Carluccio also received an OBE from the Queen in 2007 for services to the catering industry.

He wrote more than a dozen books and published his memoirs in 2012, A Recipe for Life, which detailed a history of depression stemming from the death of his brother in 1960.

A statement from the Carluccio’s restaurant chain said: “We are incredibly saddened by the news that Antonio Carluccio, our founder, passed away on Wednesday.

“Antonio built Carluccio’s from one restaurant to the fantastic brand it is today. It isn’t just Antonio’s name above our doors, but his heart and soul lives and breathes throughout our restaurants.

“Antonio was an OBE, OMRI and a much loved and respected Italian cookery writer, cook, restaurateur, food expert and TV personality. He was regarded as the godfather of Italian cooking.

“Antonio has been a huge inspiration to many of us and his energy, zest for life and sense of humour will be greatly missed.”

Jamie Oliver also paid tribute to the cook in an Instagram post: "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.

"The imagine 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 fo him.

"My love goes out to his partner Sabina his family and his dear and close friends on this very sad day."