Luigi Gatti | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Gaspare Antonio Pietro Gatti 3 January 1875 Montalto Pavese, Lombardy, Italy |
| Died | 15 April 1912 (aged 37) |
| Resting place | Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Occupation | Restaurant entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Edith Kate Cheese |
| Children | 1 |
Gaspare Antonio Pietro "Luigi" Gatti (3 January 1875 – 15 April 1912) was an Italian businessman and restaurateur, best known as the manager of theÀ la Carte restaurant on theRMSTitanic, catering to passengers for whom first-class service was not exclusive enough.[1][2]
Gatti was born on 3 January 1875 inMontalto Pavese, Italy.[1] He was one of eleven children born to Paolo Gatti, a local councillor and magistrate, and Maria Nascimbene.[1]
In 1902, at St Luke's,Hammersmith, Gatti married Edith Kate Cheese, the daughter of steward William James Cheese and his wife Emily ofChelsea.[1][3] They had a son Luigi Victor, "Vittorio" born in 1904.[1][3] In 1902, they were living in Hammersmith, in 1911 inGreat Titchfield Street, Marylebone, London, and in 1912 inSouthampton.[1]
Gatti owned and ran two restaurants in London, Gatti's Adelphi and Gatti's Strand.[4]
Gatti was already running theÀ la Carte restaurant on theRMSOlympic, and because of its success,Titanic'sÀ la Carte was even larger, able to seat over 150, with over 60 staff, mostly Italian and French, all employed directly by Gatti, who ran these restaurants asconcessions. ForTitanic's maiden voyage, both Gatti and his head chef onOlympic sailed to ensure the new restaurant's success.[2][4]
Only first class passengers were permitted; they had to book tables in advance and pay a supplement to the first-class fare which included full board in the first-class dining room.[2] Even into the 1890s, dining in public was not considered socially acceptable by some in the upper classes, especially the nobility and "old money", so it was felt necessary in effect to further divide the first class passengers.[2] There was also a reception area for pre-dinner drinks, and aCafé Parisien designed to appeal to Americans.[2] TheÀ la Carte restaurant used different china andsilver plate from the main first-class restaurant.[2]
Gatti went down with the ship on 15 April 1912.[1][5] His body was recovered by the CSMinia between 26 April and 6 May 1912, and buried inFairview Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.[1]
