Giovanni a member for over 52 years, and former chairman had a thirst for life, still judging Rotary Cookery competitions right through to his late eighties.

Having studied the Craft of Cookery in his native Italy, he came to the UK and worked in some of the very best restaurants around, and when he finally retired, he was the catering manager at Charterhouse School, one of the best independent schools in the country.

The school their motto is: ‘Learn with purpose, Try everything, Be kind’ – all values that Giovanni believed in. Even when he retired, he still went back to the school to teach Italian, there was just no stopping him.

A real guiding light in what was then the Surrey Division he, was a strong leader within the division, and carried this out when he was the national chairman 1996-98.

There was nothing better than taking to Giovanni about food and drink, he offered up so much conversation, happy to argue his case if need be, but always ended with a handshake. He will be sadly missed by all of us, and fondly remembered. RIP Giovanni Fontebasso.