Guy Grossi

Guy Grossi (Born 13 May 1965) is an Australian Chef and media personality.^[1] He is first generation Italian in Australia and draws his inspiration, for his cooking, from his Italian heritage.^[2] Guy currently owns and operates restaurants in Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand.

In 1996, Guy was awarded the prestigious L’insegna Del Ristorante Italiano, by the president of Italy, for his dedication to presenting and promoting “La Cucina Italiana” and life style.^[3] Guys Restaurants are consistently rated highly by both the public and the media.^[4] Guy has published five cookbooks “Grossi Florentino – secrets and recipes”, “My Italian Heart”,^[5] "Recipes From My Mother's Kitchen" ^[6] "Italian Food Safari", based on the SBS TV series ^[7] and most recently "Love Italy".^[8]

Early life

Guy Grossi was born in Melbourne, Australia and raised by his parents Pietro Grossi and Marissa Grossi.^[9] Guy’s father Pietro came to Australia from Milan in 1960 to work as a chef at legendary Mario’s in Exhibition Street, Melbourne.^[10][11] Pietro was not only a father to Guy but also a teacher and mentor.

Some of Guy’s most memorable moments as a child were those spent playing Footy or Cricket on the streets of suburban Melbourne where life revolved mostly around the table. Many of Guy’s school holidays were spent in commercial kitchens peeling potatoes and sweeping floors whilst keeping his father company behind the stoves of some of Melbourne’s best Restaurants. Guy attended Dallas North primary school before moving to Glenhuntly primary. Lunchtime was a highlight for Guy as a young boy, whether it was going home for a tasty Italian home cooked meal or having his mother bring him a crusty roll filled with mortadella. Guy also attended Caulfield Technical School where he completed up to year 10 before leaving to follow his dream as a chef.

Professional career

In 1980 (completed in 1984), Guy commenced his apprenticeship in commercial cookery at Box Hill TAFE.^[12] At the age of fifteen he began working in a Malvern seafood restaurant before progressing to Tolarno’s, where his father led the kitchen.^[13] Guys father Pietro together with Leon Massoni and David Gibson became partners of ‘Massoni’s’, Fitzroy Street where Guy also worked.^[14] Following a stint at Two Faces Guy and wife, Melissa opened their own restaurant ‘Quadri’ in Armadale, the first of many successful Grossi eateries. Guy’s Father Pietro rejoined Guy and Melissa when they opened ‘Caffé Grossi’ in 1988 and later expanded the Grossi brand by opening ‘Pietro Ristorante’ and ‘Epoca’.^[15]

In 1999, Guy purchased the great dame of Melbourne’s Italian restaurants, ‘The Florentino’.^[16] Grossi Florentino’ has been part of Melbourne’s restaurant scene and streetscape for more than 80 years. Beginning as a simple Wine café, ‘The Florentino’ progressed with the years, into one of Melbourne’s most significant dining establishments.^[17] Its clientele has included prime ministers, politicians, corporate leaders, artists, writers, musicians, journalists, socialites, locals and many of Australia’s visitors.^[18]

Always keen for new opportunities to explore and express his culinary art, Guy ventured to secure ‘Mirka Continental Bistro’ in St Kilda.^[19] In 2006, Guy assured that this iconic landmark would live on. Guy saw to the immediate restoration of the acclaimed Mirka Mora murals, restored by the artist Mirka herself.^[20][21] The murals were first painted in the 1960s when she and her husband Georges owned the Tolarno Hotel. Mirka offers continental dining in a beautifully colourful and lively environment.^[22] In 2009, Guy expanded the Grossi brand internationally through a partnership with the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand where the ‘Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar’ is now open.^[23][24][25] A new venture with Lorenz Grollo saw the opening of a new restaurant, ‘The Merchant’^[26] It is located in Melbourne’s corporate district and features traditional dishes from the Veneto region, where Guy’s mother and the Grollo family originate.^[27] In 2012, Guy added to his portfolio with the addition of Ombra Salumi Bar. "Split over two-levels and designed by architects Mills Gorman, downstairs is a room rich with wooden panelling and dressed in bottles of wine and jars of preserved vegetables, while upstairs is minimal yet warm, with textured walls and statement lightshades. Ombra is an offering that expounds an ancient craft and allows the diner the freedom to graze from the menu for hours or just drop by for a quick glass of wine and plate of food." ^[28]

Personal life

Guy married Melissa Jennifer Gardiner in 1986.^[29] They have two children, son Carlo Pietro (b. 1988) and Daughter Loredana Eva (b. 1991).^[30][31] Guys sister Elizabeth and her husband Chris are also important parts of not only Guy’s family but also the Grossi brand.^[32]

Guy brings his passion for food into the home as he embraces his family life with wife Melissa and children Carlo and Loredana. Guy says: “I always find the way to talking to my children is to cook together. There is no outside distraction and it’s a wonderful way to communicate.^[33]” After growing up in a tight knit family, Guy places a great deal of importance on his family time. Most Sundays are family days where he will spend cooking for or eating with his whole family.^[34]

Charity and environment

Numerous donations include: the Starlight Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Camp Quality, Hanover, Open Family Australia, Food for Trees,, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Australia . Guy is also a patron for the HEAT program, helping disengaged young people by providing them with valuable hospitality training and support.^[35]

Media

As a media personality Guy appears on various TV shows in Australia including Food Safari,^[36] Masterchef,^[37] 9am with David and Kim, Fresh (TV show), Postcards, Getaway, Neighbours, My Kitchen Rules, A Current Affair, and Sunrise. He has also appeared on various American shows such as CBS in New York and Good Day Philadelphia.^[38][39] Guy is also a regular guest judge on the channel 7 production, My Kitchen Rules.^[40]

Guy is also a national judge of the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence awards , The Age Good Food Guide Young Chef awards and he is also an ambassador for Skills Victoria . Guy has been involved in various stage productions, demonstrations and corporate events. He is also called upon as an industry spokesman for a range of events.^[41]

Restaurants

Past and current

• Quadri
• Caffe Grossi
• Pietro’s Ristorante
• Epoca
• Grossi Florentino
• Mirka at Tolarno Hotel
• Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar
• The Merchant

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guy Grossi.

References