Italian Chef and Co-Creator of Tiramisu Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto, Passes Away at 81

Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto, the pastry chef widely credited as the co-creator of the beloved Italian dessert tiramisu, has passed away. He died on July 28, 2024, at the age of 81. Linguanotto worked at Le Beccherie, a renowned restaurant in Treviso in northern Italy, which is often considered the birthplace of tiramisu. While the exact origins of tiramisu are a topic of debate, many theories attribute its creation to Chef Linguanotto and Alba di Pillo, the wife of the restaurant's owner, who are believed to have crafted what is now considered the classic version of the dessert.

Luca Zaia, President of the Veneto Region, paid tribute to the late chef on Instagram, writing: "I join in mourning for the passing of Roberto 'Loli' Linguanotto, pastry chef who marked the breakthrough of the Trevigiana and Veneta pastry shop by rediscovering and relaunching tiramisu, a traditional product today of culinary excellence recognized worldwide. The credit for a success of such a scale also goes to his pastry mastery and his willingness to make our Venetian delicacy unique and inimitable. To his family and friends, as well as those who appreciated him, my closeness and sympathy goes to him."

According to the BBC, Chef Linguanotto revealed that tiramisu was created by accident while he was making vanilla ice cream. After accidentally dropping mascarpone cheese into a bowl of eggs and sugar, he shared the "mixture's pleasant taste" with Alba. The duo then decided to add ladyfinger sponges soaked in coffee and sprinkled with cocoa, resulting in the iconic dessert we know today.

Le Beccherie's website notes that tiramisu was the product of extensive experimentation by Alba and Chef Linguanotto during 1971 and 1972. Alba was inspired to create the dessert after tasting a delightful combination of zabaglione and coffee prepared by her mother-in-law. She collaborated with Linguanotto to perfect the recipe. The website also reveals that the original shape of tiramisu at Le Beccherie was circular. (Read the complete recipe here).

Reports indicate that the first official mention of tiramisu as we know it today appeared in a 1981 issue of Veneto, a local food publication. Gigi Padovani, a renowned Italian journalist and food writer, stated that it was the Venetians who popularised the dessert globally.

Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto's legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of tiramisu, a dessert enjoyed by millions around the world. His contributions to the culinary world will be remembered fondly by food lovers everywhere.