Carlo Petrini, the Italian gastronome who founded the Slow Food movement and the Terra Madre network, died on Thursday evening at his home in Bra, in the province of Cuneo. He was 76. His death marks the end of a life dedicated to reshaping how Europe and the world think about food, sustainability, and community.
Slow Food, launched in 1986, grew from a protest against the opening of a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps in Rome into a global association with millions of supporters. It champions "good, clean and fair food for all," linking pleasure with ethics and biodiversity. Terra Madre, founded later, connects farmers, herders, fishers, cooks, academics, and consumers to promote food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture. Petrini also co-founded the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo in 2004 and the Laudato si' Communities in 2017, inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment.
From Piedmont to the World Stage
Born in Bra, a small town in Piedmont, Petrini began as a journalist and writer. His ideas resonated far beyond Italy. Time magazine named him a "European Hero" in 2004, and The Guardian included him on its list of 50 people who could save the world in 2008. The United Nations Environment Programme awarded him the "Champion of the Earth" prize in 2013, and in 2016 he became a Special Ambassador for the FAO's Zero Hunger programme in Europe.
Petrini cultivated close relationships with influential figures. He accompanied King Charles III during a visit to a Slow Food presidium in Ravenna this April, alongside Italian President Sergio Mattarella. He also maintained a friendship with Pope Francis, whose environmental encyclical Laudato si' deeply influenced Petrini's later work.
"Those who sow utopia reap reality," Petrini often said. He believed that dreams, when just and pursued with passion, could transform society. His approach blended discipline with what he called "emotional intelligence" and "disciplined anarchy," always working with young people to foster social redemption.
Condolences from Italian Leaders
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X: "With deep emotion I have learned of the death of Carlo Petrini, a man of vision who succeeded in turning food into culture, identity, respect for the land and solidarity between peoples." Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, a longtime friend, recalled their early days at the Boccon Divino osteria in Bra: "Together we built the University of Taste, the Wine Bank and everything around Pollenzo. The world has lost a true dreamer. Have a good journey, Carlin." Nicola Zingaretti, head of the PD delegation in the European Parliament, called Petrini a "gentle visionary" who "explained to the world how wrong it is to live only to consume life and the planet."
Petrini's legacy is deeply European, rooted in the continent's diverse food traditions and its growing awareness of environmental limits. His work has influenced policies on biodiversity, local food systems, and sustainable agriculture across the EU and beyond. As Europe grapples with climate change and food security, Petrini's ideas remain relevant. For those interested in how food connects to broader trends, Crete's recognition as a top global dining destination reflects the kind of local, sustainable gastronomy Petrini championed.
The Slow Food community now faces the challenge of continuing his mission without his charismatic leadership. His statement after his death read: "His energy, his extraordinary empathy, his drive to act, his example in life will be the strength that guides us all."
