Leamington welcomes mastercook Carluccio

So said Antonio Carluccio when the 76-year-old took time to visit his newest restaurant in Leamington on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Courier, he said that the trip was his first to the spa town, but he was impressed by its pleasant streets and touristy atmosphere.

And despite a busy schedule which has seen him recently travel to Australia, Dubai and India, he always makes a point to visit every new Carluccio’s.

He said: “I still work closely with the restaurants on the menus.

“Good ingredients are the key. Chefs can spend a lot of time on making something with poor ingredients and it won’t taste good.”

Mr Carluccio, who moved to London in 1975 and has been writing cookbooks and making television appearances since 1983, opened his first Carluccio’s in London in 1998. There are now more than 70 branches and Mr Carluccio has been bestowed the Italian equivalent of a knighthood for his services to Italian gastronomy and been made an honorary OBE.

He said: “I am not a chef, I am a cook. I still love to cook for family and friends, but I never cook in the restaurants.”

And he said his favourite meals were the most simple ones, adding: “Simple cooking is the best, but good ingredients are very important.”

To make a booking at Carluccio’s in Satchwell Court, call 889587 or visit www.carluccios.com/restaurants/leamington-spa