THE man known as the godfather of Italian cooking celebrated his 80th birthday by making a trip to the north.

Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio travelled to York to host a VIP event at the new city centre restaurant bearing his name.

The private party took place at Carluccio’s in St Helen’s Square, which opened last month on the site of what was once Terry’s Chocolate Shop and Tea Room.

And visitors were greeted at the door with a Chocolate Orange Negroni cocktail - specially created for the new restaurant and paying homage to the building’s unique history.

The prosecco flowed as guests were treated to live music from Impromptu Opera whilst they enjoyed fresh Italian antipasti, canapes and cocktails.

In honour of his birthday, the Carluccio’s team presented Antonio with a chocolate cake, crafted by award winning bakery The Bread Factory.

The legendary chef praised the historic building, saying his restaurants did not want just any venue, but special locations like the former chocolate shop were worth waiting for.

He said: “It’s wonderful, it reminds me very much of cafes in Turin.

“Turin was also a city very much connected with chocolate, and there are three or four cafes in the major streets which are panelled like this building, and still selling chocolates the old fashioned way. It is lovely.”

The significance of the building also played a big part in the decision to bring another branch of the restaurant to York, he added.

“Carluccio’s doesn’t need any premises, it needs a good premises,” he said.