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MEET THE ITALIAN CONSUL GENERAL OF SYDNEY
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the Italian Consul General, Dott. Benedetto Latteri, in his office situated high above the beautiful Sydney Harbour. My goal was to learn as much about his position as I could so that others may understand a bit better what his role is here in Australia, the various aspects of his duties and what his goals are during his time in this capacity. This interview was conducted for the benefit of educating [more] others about his role and duties, etc. I hope you enjoy it.
Stephanie Spadotto
Director
Italy Online™
MEET THE CHEF BEHIND THE 'SARDA DAY ON SUNDAY' SARDINIAN LUNCHEON
On a not-so-quiet evening in the gelato shop that Gavina De Luca runs with her husband and two children, I had an opportunity to sit down with the woman behind the concept of the Sarda Day on Sunday Luncheon. We talked at length about the luncheon and I had the chance to ask the burning question on my mind, “What gave you the idea to have this luncheon?”  She said that since she and her husband, Luigi, are celebrating twenty five years [more] of marriage at the end of July, they were talking about a way that they could do something here in Australia to celebrate their Italian heritage. You see, Gavina is from the island of Sardinia (in Italy) and she is very proud of her heritage, the food and especially the culture. She and her husband plan to host the luncheon for 150 people on the day. Naturally, I was curious when the last time was that she cooked for that many people? (Afterall, it is just a little more than the average number of people that most of us have at our table for a meal on any given day!) Gavina told me that she recently cooked for a friend’s daughter’s wedding reception and it went off without a problem. “My background is in the food industry. When we opened our business in Sardinia, we had a catering business and gelato shop for ten years,” Gavina said. I asked her what she wanted people to walk away with after having attended the luncheon? “I hope that the people learn not just about Sardinan or other regional cooking. There is not a lot that is known about Sardinia. We are traditional, we do not like change and we do not infuse other cultures into Sardinian food. We do not accept anything from outside of our culture. Maybe it is not for young people, this straight mentality, but for the rest of us, it is. I want people to see and enjoy our traditional ways,” said Gavina.
She then lead me into the kitchen and showed me how to make some of the pastas that will be served at the Sarda Day Luncheon. When she was rolling and cutting the homemade pastas it was as if she were an artist creating a masterpiece. We did not speak, I just watched ever so intently as she meticulously formed the pasta or rolled or cut them into their
desired shapes. What happened next was just short of “dying and going to Heaven.” She made me a plate of a variety of pastas and when I tasted them, they melted in my mouth! There is just no substitute for homemade pasta. The texture and consistency, the freshness, I could go on and on.Â
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The Sarda Day on Sunday Luncheon will be filled with family and friends and those that just want to experience a relaxing afternoon that is filled the sights and smells of Sardinia. There will be a display of works by Sardinian artist, Graziano Capra, at the luncheon as well as all of the children’s artwork that is submitted for the Children’s Art Contest which is being held in conjunction with the luncheon. The contest allows children
learn a little bit about Sardinia and then create what they perceive to be Sardinia. The First Place winner of the contest will have his or her artwork as the front cover on the menus for the luncheon.
MEET THE OWNERS OF PORTOFINO NORTON STREET
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Steve and Enza, owners of Portofino Norton Street Restaurant. We talked at length about their commitment to their business and to their customers and I was shocked to learn that they had not taken a day off in four years of owning their restaurant together. Now that is dedication!
Many of their customers have come to know them on a first name basis which is a true testament to their belief [more] in looking after their customers again and again. When I enquired with them about, “Why did you decide on Leichhardt as the place to have your business?”, they both informed me that Leichhardt IS Little Italy in Sydney. Who could argue with them? Norton Street is definitely a place where you find people hollering across the street to each other and waving from cars as they pass each other going to and from the local establishments.
But there is more to Portofino Norton Street than that. They both maintain that they stay on top of their game by really listening to what their customers want. As the owners, they are there seven nights a week to make sure that things run smoothly.  They greet their customers, serve their customers, and even on the busiest of nights, you can find either Steve or Enza stopping by their customers’ tables to ensure that they were pleased with their meal. They are so confident that their products are fresh and of the highest quality, and they guarantee total satisfaction on quality and service, so much so that they even offer a money back guarantee. I believe it is that something extra that brings people back for more. More of the friendly atmosphere, more of the personalised service, more of the attention to detail and of course, more of that delicious food!
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