How do you select a signature
dish?
Sometimes
the client defines what a signature dish is and over time its popularity grows
and it becomes a dish that you are known for.
Where did you get your inspiration from?
I get a
lot of my inspiration from my heritage as well as my experience in the kitchen
and reflections on other work I have done, people I have met and places I have
visited. The
ingredients, how and by whom they are produced inspire me most.
What can Australia expect from you in the
future?
Next year
is going to be a very busy year with the release of my fourth book Menus
From My Mother’s Kitchen. I also look forward to continuously developing my
products and restaurants
as after many years in the industry I still have not lost my passion for the kitchen.
What’s the earliest memory at the table?
The smells
of onion and garlic frying.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Believe in
yourself.
What advice would you give a novice cook?
Believe in
yourself.
Weapon of choice in the kitchen?
Cook’s
knife.
What would you do with a jar of tomato sauce?
Invite
friends around for dinner.
This is an edited extract from Signature Dishes by Michelle Tchea, published by New Holland, $29.95.
Background on Guy Grossi
Guy Grossi is globally recognised as a leading Australian chef and food
personality. Starting early on Guy worked for famed chefs and restaurateurs such as Herman Schneider of Two Faces and Leon Massoni of Cafe Florentino, and later on for Pietro Grossi at Tolarno French Bistro, Massoni.
For twenty years he has owned and managed numerous renowned Melbourne restaurants. He
is devoted to his beloved Grossi Florentino and sister restaurant, the
aesthetically inspiring Mirka at Tolarno Hotel. This most recent venture also
upholds the Grossi heritage and the values that have secured the group’s
international acclaim over the years.
He launched into his career early under the
watchful eye of his father, Pietro, a renowned chef himself who was
instrumental in defining the true pleasures of the Italian table in Melbourne. Guy,
surrounded by gastronomy since birth, has dedicated himself to becoming a
maestro della cucina Italiana. Perfecting his craft at some of Melbourne’s finest, Guy has established and
operated several reputed establishments: Quadri, Pietro, Epoca, and the famous
Caffé Grossi. He then went on to realise his ambition to secure one of Melbourne’s most famous
and enduring restaurants, Grossi Florentino, the rebirth of a pedigree stretching back to
the early 1900’s.
In 2004 Grossi Florentino celebrated its 75th
birthday in grand style. It has also celebrated local and international
recognition as one of Australia’s
finest Italian restaurants. In 1996 Guy received an award from the President of
Italy in recognition of his contribution to la cucina Italiana abroad.
Guy’s insights spring from incredible love and
passion; they are a personal quest for that delicate balance between revering
traditional, time-honoured fundamentals and fuelling them with the fires of
creativity and innovation. Always keen for new opportunities to explore and
express his culinary art, Guy secured the Mirka at Tolarno Hotel project in St
Kilda in 2006. This iconic landmark has come full circle since Guy cooked his
first soffrito there under his father’s tutelage in his early kitchen days.
Often involved in numerous projects
simultaneously, Guy is the author of exquisitely presented, definitely
delectable cookbooks. He also enjoys sharing his ideas through culinary
demonstrations, and frequently appearances in the cookery media. He has entertained audiences
together with Bert Newton and Jeff Jansz, and on Channel 7 and 9’s leisure and
lifestyle programs. Guy is also a national judge of the Lexus Young Chef awards
program.
In addition to contributing to public speaking
forums and making corporate appearances, Guy Grossi acts as consultant on
various projects, developments and special events.
Most importantly, since a young age, Guy has a
great respect for the planet and its people. Waching his father pluck fresh
produce from the garden, drove home the significance of bringing only lovingly
sourced and nurtured produce to the table. Sustainable practices and the
integrity of all raw products is about appreciation and respect; it lies at the
foundation of what we do today, and it ensures the longevity of our future.
Guy has successfully embedded ethical and responsible
business practices throughout the Grossi Group. It ensures that the business
manages the impact on society and the environment through its day to day
operations, products and supply chain, as well as continuing to provide the
best for all customers and staff members.
He sources an array of goods and services from
large number of Australian-made and international suppliers. In this complex
network of suppliers he seeks out those who reflect the same values as the
Grossi Group. This means respecting the environment and the people we work
with. The fundamentals he seeks in all suppliers are human rights,
environmental concern, and business ethics.
In the midst of work and family life, Guy is a
socially conscious entrepreneur who takes immense enjoyment in his
philanthropic work with numerous charities and environmental partners. Over an
extended period of time, he has donated a great amount of time, goods and monies in effort to support charitable causes and
environmental societies: Food for Trees, Australian
Marine Conservation Society, Camp
Quality, Hanover,
Open Family Australia, Starlight Children's Foundation, and Ovarian Cancer represent a few of the organizations supported by the Grossi Group.
With a colourful history spanning over a century, the Chef Hat awarded Grossi Florentino Restaurant, Grill & Cellar Bar has contributed to the cultural and culinary growth of Melbourne's dining scene. Owner and Executive Chef Guy Grossi works vigorously with a passionate team, driven to provide excellence and execution with style. Make your choice from Grossi Florentino’s grill menu, which may feature the likes of Cape Grim porterhouse, or perhaps take to the upstairs restaurant area for a la carte dining, with a menu that showcases refined Italian dishes such as Berkshire pork with black pudding, pumpkin, pine nuts, apricot and cider. Grossi Florentino’s desserts are an irresistible temptation, so be sure to spare room for sweets like the chocolate soufflé with liquorice root ice cream.
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