Antonio Carluccio Foundation

The Antonio Carluccio Foundation, established by the renowned Italian chef and restaurateur Antonio Carluccio before his death in 2017, carries forward his legacy of simplicity, sustainability, and compassion through food. Rooted in his belief that good food is a fundamental human right and a way to express love and happiness, the Foundation's mission centers on preventing or relieving poverty and hunger globally while providing education and vocational training for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds entering the hospitality industry as cooks and chefs. Guided by a small board of Carluccio's close associates, it leverages legacies, donations, and his intellectual property to fund practical, people-centered initiatives blending immediate aid with skills empowerment.

It prioritizes projects addressing food security and nutrition, such as child malnutrition relief and school breakfast programs (e.g., grants to Action Against Hunger and Magic Breakfast), alongside vocational hospitality training and nutrition education (e.g., Ulster University's outreach and Oxford Cultural Collective scholarships). Beneficiaries include disadvantaged youth, hunger-risk communities, and food-insecure populations in the UK and internationally, with a focus on innovative programs delivering measurable impact through hospitality expertise and Carluccio's "minimum fuss, maximum flavour" ethos.

Eligible applicants are registered charities and non-profits worldwide, with no income thresholds, geographic restrictions, or size preferences—small grassroots groups and large NGOs alike qualify, provided they submit via email with a concise one-page form, budget breakdown, recent accounts, key policies (e.g., equal opportunities, safeguarding), and disclosure of any recent sexual misconduct allegations. Typical grants range from £3,000 to £5,000 (up to £20,000), funding specific projects only—no unrestricted, core, capital, or emergency support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no deadlines, reviewed as submitted by trustees.

Distinctively, the Foundation stands out for its cultural-historical tie to Carluccio's inclusive vision, favoring charities with clear outcomes in hunger alleviation and culinary skills training over broader poverty efforts.