Mme. Patti: Adami the Chef

This photograph of Adamo Adami and his family was taken by Roberts of Swansea. The inscription on the back says that he was the chef at Craig-y-Nos, and that his wife was the sister of Hannah Davies who was married to one of the gardeners.

The 1901 census shows that Adami was resident as chef, although this was before his marriage:

Adami died quite young after leaving Madame Patti's employ, but was highly esteemed, as shown in his obituary in a Swansea newspaper.

Adami, detail from a
larger photo of the
staff at Craig-y-Nos
Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery

Mr Adamo Adami, of the Neuadd Arms Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells, who, at the early age of 43, has just passed away from the effects of double pneumonia, was a king of chefs. It ran in the blood. His grandfather, and his father (of the Hotel Alpino, Stresa, Lago Maggiore, Italy, who survives him), were noted chefs. There are a large family of brothers, who are also chefs. The eldest brother has for many years been chef at St. Andrew's Hotel, Buxton; another is chef at the National Liberal Club, London.

Mr Adami was well known in various circles in Italy, France and Germany. Formerly chef at the Casino in Nice, he afterwards went to the Sackfield Hotel, Dublin. Here Madame Patti once dined, and was so delighted with the soup that she called the chef and said to him,

"Whenever you want a change, come to Craig-y-Nos."

That was the prelude to nine years at Craig-y-Nos, where Mr Adami had full scope for his inventiveness in the matter of ?tasty dishes, which delighted the palates of the prima donna and Signor Nicolini.

In Swansea Mr Adami had many friends, including Messrs. G. J. Isaac (solicitor), S J Powell (manager Palace Theatre), Prof. W F Hulley (musical director Grand Theatre), F Dowman (Marine Hotel, Mumbles), and George Bowen (Aberavon). Old members of the Swansea police force will also recall with pleasure deceased's genial presence at their annual outings. A thorough "sport," Mr. Adami was an adept with the gun and rod, and at various athletics.

Mr Adami, who leaves a widow and three children (the youngest only two months old), is to be buried at Colbren, near Craig-y-Nos, the scene of his finest culinary exploits, and in a district where he will be long and lovingly remembered."