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

Daily Mail​

30-06-2025

A famous Italian chef who cooked for the likes of Sophia Loren and Frank Sinatra before he opened a string of eateries in South Australia has died aged 87.
Tony 'Eugenio' Sanso owned a series of popular restaurants in and around Adelaide after he emigrated from Florence in 1964.
He is credited with transforming Italian food in South Australia through his popular restaurants, which include The Old Mill, Osteria Sanso and Villa Sanso.
The iconic restauranteur died on June 18, his son Terence announced on Wednesday.
'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.
He cooked for stars such as Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and Bob Hope.
Sanso only 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.'
Many friends, past employees and customers shared their memories of the accomplished chef.
'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 said.
The chef pictured in 2021 during Osteria Sanso's final week of service after selling the property and announcing his retirement aged 84
'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.