Fondly referred to as the “Godfather of Italian Cooking”, Mr Carluccio is celebrated for bringing regional Italian cuisine to other parts of the world, including the UK, where he lived and worked for many years.

Mr Carluccio owned restaurants across the globe and appeared on international television programs, including the hit show ‘Two Greedy Italians’, alongside fellow chef and friend, Gennaro Contaldo.

The Italian chef also wrote 22 books and in 2012 launched his memoirs A Recipe For Life.

Born in Salerno and raised in Piedmont, Mr Carluccio dabbled in a career in journalism in the region’s capital, Turin, before moving to Vienna and Germany, and finally London to work as a wine merchant before delving into the world of restaurants.

He made a name for himself in the UK while managing the Neal Street Restaurant in Covent Garden in 1981, earning a number of accolades and cooking for famous patrons including Prince Charles and Sir Elton John.

In an interview with IL GLOBO earlier this year, Mr Carluccio showed his down-to earth-nature, explaining he never felt star-struck by his guests.

“I am a human being and so is everyone else,” he explained.

“You can admire someone for what they have done but not for who they are; we are all equal.”

Mr Carluccio also helped launch the career of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver by hiring him to work at the Neal Street Restaurant.

“He was such a charismatic charming don of all things Italian,” Oliver wrote on Instagram following his former boss and mentor’s death.

“Always hanging out the front door of the restaurant with a big fat cigar a glass of something splendid and his amazing fuzzy white hair.

“Viva Antonio Carluccio... Cook a feast up there mate,” Mr Oliver concluded.

In 1999, Mr Carluccio co-founded the Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s, which now operates from more than 80 UK locations.

“Antonio built Carluccio’s from one restaurant to the fantastic brand it is today,” a statement from the restaurant chain said.

“It isn’t just Antonio’s name above our doors, but his heart and soul lives and breathes throughout our restaurants.”

Mr Carluccio was recognised in both his homeland and the UK.

He was appointed Commendatore, the equivalent of a British knighthood, from the Italian government in 1998 for services to Italy and in 2007, Queen Elizabeth II made him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the catering industry.

 In 2012, he was awarded the AA hospitality lifetime achievement award.

Mr Carluccio was renowned for his motto “mof mof”: “minimum of fuss, maximum of flavour”.

The beloved chef’s cause of death was not immediately confirmed.