Farewell to the «king of the croissant» and of the White Art in the Stura valley. Cesare Agnello, historical co-owner of the patisserie of the same name in the center of Demonte, died in the early afternoon of today (Saturday 1 January) in the intensive care unit of the Santa Croce hospital in Cuneo, where he had been hospitalized since yesterday, following heart failure. He was 72 years old. Originally from Demonte, he was the son of parents who emigrated to Paris (Lorenzo and Felicita) who, at the outbreak of the Second World War, fled France and opened a tavern with billiards in via Martiri e Caduti della Libertà, under the arcades of the town of the Stura valley. , a few steps from the town hall.
The young Caesar took over the reins of the business as “punishment”, because he no longer wanted to study. However, he enrolled in the pastry schools of Cuneo and Turin, immediately demonstrating an incredible talent. In 1970, together with his first wife Rosalba Re, he transformed the place into a pastry shop “with 6 cups of cappuccino and a Chantilly cream”. Since then, it has launched the still unfamiliar fashion of morning breakfasts and won the trust of thousands of customers. Many residents in the Stura valley and in the Cuneo area, but above all tourists and in winter, ski enthusiasts who appreciated the legendary cannoli and croissants, hot chocolate, coffee and cappuccino, pretzels, sandwiches and semi-idols, ice cream, everything strictly handcrafted and with the highest quality products, but always at popular prices.
Widower in 1987, Agnello remarried two years later with Fernanda “Nanda” Giordano, with whom he continued the business until December 30, 2018, also supported by his son Valter who helped them on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as in the administration of the shop. Artisan in love with his job, which he saw almost as a mission, always available and courteous to his customers, Cesare Agnello was a tireless worker (his famous phrase “While you rest, let’s do this”). In addition to his wife Nanda and son Valter, he also leaves his daughter-in-law Pieranna and his grandson Rui, who has just arrived from China. The funeral will be celebrated on Monday 3 January, at 3 pm, in the parish church of Demonte.