The Absolute End proprietor, Antonio Folmi, who died on Sunday. (0356222)
GUERNSEY’S Italian community has paid tribute to restaurateur Antonio Folmi, who died on Sunday, aged 45.
His colleagues in the hospitality industry described Mr Folmi, who became sole proprietor of The Absolute End in 1999, as a vibrant and talented chef who was proud of his nationality.
‘He always wanted to be involved in all aspects of life, not just in the restaurant, and he was always a key organiser for parties amongst us Italians. He had a very good relationship with us all,’ said Nello Ciotti, proprietor of Da Nello.
‘He was quite ambitious and kept hinting that he would like a restaurant of his own one day, which of course he did. But his main attribute was that he was an honest chef and cooked only food he thought was good. He used to eat with his stomach, not with his head.’
Mr Folmi died peacefully at his Vale home in the arms of his wife, Kim, and in the presence of his two children, Sabato and Dovanna.
He was born on the outskirts of Naples and discovered a passion for food at a young age while helping his mother prepare meals for the family.
During school holidays he sought work at local restaurants and later joined a catering college before moving to Guernsey in the 1980s.
He worked at Le Nautique, the Royal Hotel, the OGH and La Piazza before opening The Absolute End with Gastone Toffanello in 1988. When he retired, Mr Folmi took over.
Friend Bruno Antonini, owner of Da Bruno, said Mr Folmi was one of the nicest people he had ever met.
‘He was always happy and never smoked or drank – it is a tragedy. It is a great loss. He was a good worker, a good chef and liked communicating with customers, which is very important.’
Family and friends are invited to attend a service of celebration at the Vale Parish Church on Friday at 2.30pm.
* As a sign of respect for Antonio and his family, the restaurant will be closed that day.
Article posted on 9th April, 2008 - 11.15am
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