Godfather of Italian cooking

Antonio Carluccio dies after a fall

CELEBRITY chefs last night paid tribute to larger-than-life Antonio Carluccio, who helped put Jamie Oliver on the road to superstardom.

Two Greedy Italians star Carluccio, 80, who died after a fall at home, was dubbed the Godfather of Italian cooking in Britain.

TV chef Jamie tweeted: “He was my first boss 25 years ago... He was such a charismatic charming don of all things Italian!!”

This Morning regular Gino D’acampo wrote: “I will remember the good times we had together.” Fellow celebrity cook James Martin added: “He was a giant in the food world.”

As well as appearing on BBC2’S The Two Greedy Italians along with Gennaro Contaldo, Carluccio was known for his restaurant chain, founded in 1999.

Although he later sold his interest in it, Carluccio’s said in a statement last night: “His heart and soul lives and breathes throughout our restaurants.

“He was regarded as the Godfather of Italian cooking.”

From north-west Italy, Carluccio worked as a journalist in Turin before moving to Vienna and Germany, and finally London. He wrote 22 books and in 1981 opened his first restaurant in Britain, the Neal Street Restaurant, in Covent Garden.

Just two days ago he shared his last recipe for a warming winter soup with fans.

In 1988, Italy awarded him the Commendatore, the equivalent of a knighthood. In 2007, Britain followed with an OBE.

EXPERT Pictured in October TELLY FAVOURITE Carluccio CHEEKY SMILE As a kid