About us
The taste of quality
When you picture Italy some will think of the narrowed alleyways winding you through the city squares, while others will think of the pebble-stoned beaches and the calling of the Mediterranean sea. Then there will be those who dream of the rolling hillsides decorated by the grapes of unique Italian varieties and the boutique bars to sample wines and indulge in a cheeky aperitivo.
Simone is from the beautiful region of Piemonte, Italy, and the quaint town of Alba. Where the area is surrounded by the famous hills of Barolo and Barbaresco wineries, and becomes the mecca for truffle hunters during the autumn months and a haven for cheese lovers with the biannual cheese festival that happens in the neighbouring town of Bra. With the exotic luxuries that surround the area, it would be hard not to develop an appreciation for high-quality produce as an Italian bambino.
FAMILY-FOCUSED
The artisan practices that Simone uses are a credit to his Zia (Aunty). His afternoons were spent in her kitchen watching her rolling pasta, making gnocchi and using fresh vegetables and produce from the garden. Practising her techniques and questioning her methods to understand the process, it would be hard to deny that he was bound to end up in a kitchen. As he says, “Some kids get to play with toys, I got to play with pots and pans”.
The love of Vino
Simone’s taste for vino however he credits to his Zio (Uncle) who would take him into the vineyard once the food was in the oven and let him sample the homemade vino while no one was looking.
Simone’s hometown is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Langhe and Roero which are famous worldwide for the wine varieties - Barolo, Barbaresco, and Nebbiolo. If you are interested in wine, you and Simone will have conversations for hours. If Simone wasn’t a chef, he’d be a wine-maker.
Our Focus
Simone has worked in high-end restaurants, in Italy, the UK and Melbourne, but running his own business and being able to prepare high-quality meals that bring the tastes and traditions of Italy to diners the way he experienced growing up has always been his goal.
We look forward to having you experience our piece of Italy.