Gualtiero Marchesi, pioneer of Italian culinary art, dies at 87
Gualtiero Marchesi, renowned for transforming Italian cuisine, passed away at the age of 87. His culinary journey commenced in the 1940s at his family's eatery in Milan. In 1977, he launched his first restaurant, which achieved three Michelin stars by 1985. He closed this establishment in 1993 to establish Relais&Chateaux L'Albereta. In 2008, he introduced Teatro alla Scala – Il Marchesino, opting out of Michelin evaluations. Marchesi received several accolades, such as the Cavaliere Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana in 1986 and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1990. He founded ALMA in 2004 and established the Accademia and Fondazione Gualtiero Marchesi in 2010, leaving a lasting impact on culinary arts.
Key facts
- Gualtiero Marchesi died at age 87.
- He began in the 1940s at his parents' restaurant in Milan's Hotel Mercato.
- Opened first restaurant in Milan in 1977.
- First Italian to earn three Michelin stars in 1985 (1986 guide).
- Closed that restaurant in 1993 to open Relais&Chateaux L'Albereta in Franciacorta.
- Opened Teatro alla Scala – Il Marchesino in 2008, renouncing Michelin.
- Received numerous awards including Cavaliere Ordine al merito (1986), Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (1990), Commendatore (1991), Sigillo Longobardo (1999), Grand Prix Mémoire et Gratitude (2002), Premio ENOGA (2007), Medaglia al merito del turismo (2011), Premio Nonino (2013).
- Honorary degrees: Food Science from Universitas Sancti Cyrilli (2001) and Gastronomic Sciences from University of Parma (2012).
- Founded ALMA school in Colorno in 2004; rector until 2017.
- Founded Accademia and Fondazione Gualtiero Marchesi in 2010.
- TV shows: Il pranzo della domenica (Canale 5) and Piatti e Cocktail d'arte (Sky Arte).
- Documentary Marchesi: The Great Italian premiered at Cannes before his death.
- Advocated for cuisine as a 'beautiful art' combining ethics and aesthetics.
- Emphasized preservation of territorial culinary heritage.
Entities
Artists
- Gualtiero Marchesi
- Marco Eugenio Di Giandomenico
- Lucio Fontana
- Piero Manzoni
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Castiglioni
- Jackson Pollock
- Francesco Bonami
- Mariacristina Ferraioli
Institutions
- Hotel Mercato
- Relais&Chateaux L'Albereta
- Teatro alla Scala – Il Marchesino
- Accademia Internazionale della Gastronomia
- ALMA
- Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana
- Accademia Gualtiero Marchesi
- Fondazione Gualtiero Marchesi
- Canale 5
- Sky Arte
- Universitas Sancti Cyrilli
- University of Parma
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera
- Associazione Ethicando
- Michelin
- Fondazione Marchesi
- Casa di riposo Giuseppe Verdi
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- via Bezzecca
- via Bonvesin de la Riva
- Franciacorta
- Colorno
- Parma
- Rome
- Paris
- Cannes
- France
- Via Bonvesin della Riva
- Piazza della Scala
- Erbusco
- Varese