Italian chef Antonio Carluccio dies aged 80

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Antonio Carluccio, also known as the godfather of Italian cooking, has died aged 80.

Earlier today a statement was released from Antonio's agent which read: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Commendatore Antonio Carluccio OBE sadly passed away this morning."

Following the tragic news, Twitter has been flooded with tributes from fellow chefs and fans conveying their sadness.

We are incredibly saddened by the news that Antonio Carluccio passed away today. He was a huge inspiration to us & his energy & sense of humour will be greatly missed. https://t.co/3Cuhd8aII9 pic.twitter.com/2W73Uk1Vp6
— Carluccio's (@Carluccios) 8 November 2017

So sad to hear that the ‘godfather’ of Italian cooking, Antonio Carluccio, has died. Always came across as such a lovely man. RIP pic.twitter.com/v89Ps1E5p4
— Tony Shepherd (@tonysheps) 8 November 2017

Sad to hear of the great loss of a wonderful friend today. I will miss you, thanks for your wonderful sense of humour @CookCarluccio xxx
— Brian Turner (@BrianTurnerChef) 8 November 2017

R.I.P to @CookCarluccio an inspiration

Close Message - I might contribute in the future

I love what you do, let me contribute right now

to so many
— mark greenaway (@markgreenaway) 8 November 2017

Antonio was a regular fixture on TV often making appearances on Saturday Kitchen and his own show, BBC Two's Two Greedy Italians, with Gennaro Contaldo.

Born in Vietri sul Mare, Salerno, Italy, Antonio moved to Castelnuovo Belbo and Borgofranco d'Ivrea when he was a youngster. His love of culinary cuisine was instilled in the chef at a young age when he would join his father in the woods foraging for mushrooms and fungi.

At 21 Antonio moved to Vienna to study languages. After several years working as a wine merchant in Germany Antonio moved to the UK in 1975. In the early eighties, Antonio joined Terence Conran's Neal Street Restaurant in Covent Garden, where Jamie Oliver began his career, taking over the business in 1989. Two years later the chef and his wife opened an Italian food shop, named Carluccio's and later Carluccio's Cafe in 1999.

During his illustrious career, Antonio has written more than 20 books and launched his memoirs in 2012 which won him the AA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Small Contribution. Big Impact.

The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.

We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.

A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.