17 Facts About Antonio Carluccio

Antonio Carluccio was called "the godfather of Italian gastronomy", with a career of more than 50 years.

Antonio Carluccio is perhaps best remembered for his television appearances, including his partnership with fellow Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo, and their BBC Two television series Two Greedy Italians.

Antonio Carluccio was born in Vietri sul Mare, Salerno, in the Campania region, the fifth of six children of Giovanni Carluccio, a stationmaster from a family of Benevento bookbinders, and his wife Maria, nee Trivellone.

Antonio Carluccio moved with his father's job when he was young and lived in Castelnuovo Belbo and Borgofranco d'Ivrea.

Antonio Carluccio lived in Germany from 1962 to 1975, working as a wine merchant in Hamburg.

Antonio Carluccio came to the United Kingdom in 1975 to work as a wine merchant, importing Italian wines.

Antonio Carluccio became the manager of Terence Conran's Neal Street Restaurant in London's Covent Garden in 1981, and its owner in 1989.

Antonio Carluccio appeared on BBC television in the Food and Drink Programme, and in his own series Antonio Carluccio's Italian Feasts in 1996.

In 1999, the first "Antonio Carluccio's Caffe" was opened in Market Place, London.

In 2005, Antonio Carluccio's was quoted on the Alternative Investment Market.

Antonio Carluccio had three marriages, each of which ended in a divorce.

Antonio Carluccio was the 'castaway' on the 11 July 2008 edition of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, where he was interviewed by Kirsty Young.

Antonio Carluccio chose the Finale from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens as his favourite record, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy as his choice of book, and white truffles as his luxury item.

In 2008 Antonio Carluccio attempted suicide with a pair of scissors, but survived following the intervention of his personal assistant.

Antonio Carluccio died on 8 November 2017 aged 80, from complications after a fall at his home.

In 1998, Antonio Carluccio was awarded the Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana by the Italian government, the equivalent to a British knighthood, for his contribution to the Italian food industry.

In 2012, Antonio Carluccio was given The AA Lifetime Achievement Award.