Tributes dished up to ailing restaurateur
‘To get me down is very hard. To me, what you make of things is entirely up to you.’
WHEN people talk about Giuseppe Malaponti there is a common theme – he has an extraordinary way of making anyone feel welcome.
It is a trait that has earned the Italian native a reputation as a Wellington hospitality icon.
Malaponti has dedicated much of his life to making sure others are having a good time, from serving the likes of Elton John, Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury at Le Caprice in London, as maitre d’ during Il Casino’s heyday, front of house at Hummingbird, and now at his own restaurant, MariLuca Ristoro.
But a difficult time presented itself to the 53-year-old late last year when he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
In March, Malaponti went through very expensive, unfunded internal radiation therapy.
But he has not let it affect his spirit.
‘‘So far, so good, my treatment has actually worked wonders so far, it’s buying me time,’’ he says.
‘‘To get me down is very hard. To me, what you make of things is entirely up to you.’’
Malaponti has given a lot to the hospitality industry and Wellington community, and now the community is giving back to him. In a testament to his character, more than 300 people
Giuseppe Malaponti attended a tribute event at The Atrium in Allen St last week to raise money for Malaponti and his family.
Those behind the event included Grant Cederwall, Sharyn Latta, Nicki Cruikshank and Mike Egan, with many friends, family, neighbours, former colleagues and Wellington businesses showing their support. Thousands of dollars worth of restaurant vouchers, accommodation and products were donated for an auction.
Wellington restaurateur Leonardo Bresolin met Malaponti when they worked together at Bresolin’s father’s Il Casino in the 1990s. ‘‘He taught good values in hospitality and how to make people feel welcome,’’ Bresolin says. ‘‘He was just always such a happy, charming, inspiring person to work with, there’s never a dull moment with him.’’
Bresolin, who has since gone on to co-own various Wellington establishments, describes Malaponti as an ‘‘inspiring mentor’’, and jumped at the chance to help behind the bar at the fundraiser.
‘‘It wasn’t just the hospitality industry, there were customers, other businesses, friends.
‘‘I don’t think anyone could say a bad thing about him. He always has a joke to tell, and even in the condition he’s in now, he’s still making people laugh and smile.’’
When John Coleman opened Hummingbird in 2000 he just had to get Malaponti on the books.
‘‘His reputation preceded him in terms on front of house. He has it in spades, making people comfortable and service with a smile, always.’’
The former owner worked with Malaponti there for 12 years before Malaponti went on to open his own traditional Italian restaurant, MariLuca Ristoro, where he works today.
Malaponti speaks modestly about his maitre d’ strengths, but says welcoming is very important.
‘‘That smile, that approach, already wins you half the game. What you need is the food to be good, the rest is all done, and then you build friendship and trust.’’
Last month Malaponti took his first holiday in five years with partner Isabel and children Marina, 15, and Gianluca, 12, to visit family in his hometown of Riva Di Chieri.
Malaponti says he never thought in his wildest dreams he and his family would receive so much support at the tribute event.
‘‘It was incredible. There was so much love in the room, and nobody made it a sad occasion either, which was really cool.
‘‘For me it was mind-resting because you know they’re going to be looked after. I was sure they were going to be all right, but I know they are going to be really looked after.’’
A ‘‘Tribute to Giuseppe Malaponti’’ page has been set up on Facebook, and a Givealittle page, ‘‘A Giant Among Men’’.