Roberto 'Loli' Linguanotto, Father of Tiramisu, dies at 81, leaving behind a 'sweet legacy'

Linguanotto, who worked as a pastry chef at Le Beccherie, developed the tiramisu recipe by accident

ROME:

Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto, the creator of the beloved Italian dessert tiramisu, has died at 81, leaving behind a 'sweet legacy.' The renowned Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso, northeastern Italy, confirmed his passing on Sunday.

The restaurant owner's wife. Together, they crafted the iconic blend of mascarpone, espresso, cocoa dust, and ladyfingers.

"We join the mourning for the passing of Roberto 'Loli' Linguanotto, who marked the history of Beccherie and the most beloved dessert in the world," the restaurant said in a Facebook post. "His memory lives on in our restaurant! Thank you, Loli."

According to the Washington Post, Linguanotto passed away in Italy after a long-term battle with an unspecified illness.

Linguanotto once described the creation of tiramisu as an accident, recounting how he accidentally spilled mascarpone into a bowl of eggs and sugar. This mishap led to the eventual addition of ladyfingers and espresso, with Campeol's collaboration helping to refine the recipe. The dessert was added to Le Beccherie's menu in 1972 and quickly gained popularity.

However, the origin story of tiramisu has been contested. Alba Campeol's account, as stated on Le Beccherie's website, suggests she was inspired by a breakfast sweet made by her mother-in-law in 1955 and asked Linguanotto to collaborate. Other claims suggest the dessert originated in Italian brothels in the 1960s or 1970s.

Baltimore chef Carminantonio Iannaccone also claimed to have invented tiramisu, stating in a 2007 interview with the Washington Post that he created the dessert to capture the "everyday flavors of the region."

Luca Zaia, the governor of Veneto, Italy, honored Linguanotto's "significant impact in the world of pastry," as reported by the Daily Mail. "Tiramisù today is a culinary excellence recognised throughout the world," Zaia said, attributing the dessert's success to Linguanotto's mastery and dedication.

The Tiramisu World Cup, a global baking competition, also paid tribute, stating on Instagram, "His sweet legacy will live on in our hearts forever." The organization's founder, Francesco Redi, noted Linguanotto's love for gelato, highlighting that he had opened a gelateria offering tiramisu.