Beloved chef who cooked for Hollywood royalty before he opened restaurants in Adelaide dies

• Tony ‘Eugenio’ Sanso died aged 87
• He cooked for Frank Sinatra before moving to Adelaide

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 06:30 BST, 25 June 2025 | Updated: 07:12 BST, 25 June 2025

A famous Italian chef who cooked for the likes of Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra before he settled in South Australia has died aged 87. 

Tony ‘Eugenio’ Sanso owned a series of popular restaurants in and around Adelaide after he immigrated from Florence in 1964. 

He is credited with transforming Italian food in South Australia through his restaurants, which include The Old Mill, Osteria Sanso and Villa Sanso. 

The iconic restauranteur died on June 18, his son Terence announced this week. 

‘It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my dear father Eugenio Antonio Sanso, (or) Tony to his friends,’ he wrote on social media.

‘My father worked in the restaurant business for many years here in Adelaide opening many restaurants in his time. 

‘His diligence and hard work will be remembered forever and he will be sadly missed by his wife Zeny, his youngest son Eugene and his grandchildren.’

Before settling in Australia, Sanso was a top chef at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and The Savoy in London.

Tony ‘Eugenio’ Sanso (pictured) owned a series of popular restaurants in and around Adelaide after he immigrated from Florence in 1964

The iconic restauranteur (pictured) died on June 18, his son Terence announced this week

He cooked for iconic stars such as Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and Bob Hope. 

Sanso retired in 2021 aged 84 after selling the popular Osteria Sanso Restaurant and Accommodation in the Adelaide Hills.

In a touching tribute, his former restaurant said Sanso had ‘always been held in high esteem by those he cooked for during his long and illustrious career’. 

‘Tony had a burning passion for food and people, spending his life bringing his unique flavours of Italian food to the local community,’ the post read.

‘A man who will be dearly missed by many.’

The restauranteur will be sorely missed by the Adelaide community with many friends, past employees and customers sharing their memories of Sanso.

‘Such an Adelaide culinary icon over many years and venues. Thoughts are with his family and friends,’ one commented.

‘We met Tony when we stumbled across his Kanmantoo restaurant a few years back. He was a very friendly man and will be missed by those who knew him,’ another added. 

‘Eugenio was a wonderful friend to my late parents, especially my father. He was a gentleman’s gentleman,’ a third wrote.

‘I am privileged to have met him and for the kinship he gave to my Dad in the last years of his life.’

‘Tony was my first ever boss and most incredible person who gave the best hugs and cooked the most incredible food. I remember him fondly,’ another shared. 

A funeral service for Sanso will be held next Wednesday.

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Beloved chef who cooked for Hollywood royalty before he opened restaurants in Adelaide dies

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