Last night Carluccio’s restaurant group held its All Star Dinner raising £26,530 for The Antonio Carluccio Foundation, with all proceeds going to global humanitarian charity Action Against Hunger. 100 guests enjoyed a four-course dinner at Carluccio’s in Brunswick, with each course designed and cooked by close friends of the late Antonio Carluccio. The line-up included co-star of the BBC’s ‘Two Greedy Italians’, Gennaro Contaldo; Giorgio Locatelli of Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli; Danilo Cortellini, Head Chef at London’s Italian Embassy, and Carluccio’s Executive Chef Eric Chauvet.
Alongside the funds raised from ticket sales, Christie’s Natalia Voinova oversaw an auction featuring unique lots such as a painting by Antonio, cuttings from his private garden in West London, and a day in the kitchen cooking with Giorgio Locatelli, and an overnight stay with a 7-course tasting menu at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons receiving the highest bid of £1,600.
The long-standing partnership between Carluccio’s and Action Against Hunger began with Antonio Carluccio and, 12 years on, the eponymous Italian restaurant brand continues to raise funds for the humanitarian charity via The Antonio Carluccio Foundation. Formed by Antonio before he passed away in November 2017, the Foundation is committed to providing the resources, training and development needed by young, otherwise disadvantaged, cooks and chefs entering the hospitality industry as well as supporting the work of charities alleviating hunger worldwide.
Mark Jones, CEO of Carluccio’s comments: “We are delighted with the success of our first event for The Antonio Carluccio Foundation and our longstanding charity partner, Action Against Hunger. £26,530 provides vital funds for the charity and adds to the £2 million our customers have raised over the last 12 years primarily through a donation from sales of Antonio’s signature and best-selling penne giardinera dish. We are committed to continuing Antonio’s legacy by working closely with The Antonio Carluccio Foundation on more fundraising events and initiatives next year.”
Simon Kossoff, Trustee and Chief Executive of The Antonio Carluccio Foundation added: “We would like to thank all those who helped to make this very special evening happen, particularly the team at Carluccio’s and the chefs who didn’t hesitate when we asked for their support. In the last 12 months, we have been able to make grants in excess of £100,000 and this first event has set the bar for many more to come to raise fund for causes close to Antonio’s heart.”
Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK: “Antonio’s passion for charity could have rivalled his passion for food. One of our earliest ambassadors, his generosity and commitment to Action Against Hunger has meant that thousands of children are alive today who would have otherwise lost their fight with hunger. Through his foundation Antonio’s legacy lives on, and together we will continue to fight for a world where no child goes hungry.”