Guy Grossi

Guy Grossi (born 13 May 1965) is an Australian chef and media personality.^[1] He owns several restaurants in Melbourne and one in Bangkok.

In 1996, Grossi was awarded the L’insegna Del Ristorante Italiano, by the president of Italy, for his dedication to presenting and promoting “La Cucina Italiana” and life style.^[2] He has published five cookbooks “Grossi Florentino – secrets and recipes”, “My Italian Heart”,^[3] "Recipes From My Mother's Kitchen" ^[4] "Italian Food Safari", based on the SBS TV series ^[5] and most recently "Love Italy".^[6]

Early life

Grossi was born in Melbourne and raised by his parents Pietro Grossi and Marissa Grossi. His father Pietro came to Australia from Milan in 1960 to work as a chef at Mario's in Exhibition Street, Melbourne.^[7][8][9]

He attended Dallas North Primary School before moving to Glenhuntly Primary, then Caulfield Technical School where he completed up to year 10.

Professional career

From 1980 to 1980, Grossi completed an apprenticeship in commercial cookery at the Box Hill Institute.^[10] At the age of fifteen he began working in a Malvern seafood restaurant before progressing to Tolarno's, where his father led the kitchen.^[11] Later, he moved to Massoni's in Fitzroy Street, owned by his father Pietro, Leon Massoni, and David Gibson.^[12] Following a stint at Two Faces, he and his wife, Melissa opened Quadri, a restaurant of their own in Armadale. Guy’s father Pietro joined them to open Caffé Grossi in 1988.

In 1999, Grossi purchased an Italian restaurant in Melbourne, The Florentino.^[13] Later, he purchased Mirka Continental Bistro in St Kilda, Victoria and had the building's murals restored by the original artist, Mirka Mora.^[14][15] The murals were first painted in the 1960s when Mora and her husband Georges owned the Tolarno Hotel.

In 2009, he opened Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar at the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.^[16][17][18] In 2010, he opened The Merchant in the Rialto Towers as a joint venture with Lorenz Grollo saw the opening of a new restaurant, The Merchant.^[19][20] Merchant features traditional dishes from Veneto, where Guy’s mother and the Grollo family originate.^[21] In 2012, Guy opened Ombra Salumi Bar next door to Grossi Florentino in central Melbourne.^[22]

Personal life

Guy married Melissa Jennifer Gardiner in 1986.^[23] They have two children, son Carlo Pietro (b. 1988) and Daughter Loredana Eva (b. 1991).^[24][25]

Media

Guy has appeared on various Australian television programs including Food Safari,^[26] Masterchef,^[27] 9am with David and Kim, Fresh, 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.^[28][29]

Restaurants

Current

• Mirka at Tolarno Hotel, St Kilda, Victoria^[10]
• Grossi Trattoria and Wine Bar, Bangkok^[10]
• Grossi Florentino, Melbourne^[10]
• Ombra Salumi Bar, Melbourne^[22]
• Merchant Osteria Veneta, Melbourne^[20]

Former

• Café Grossi
• Quadri, Armadale, Victoria

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guy Grossi.