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Guy Grossi

History: Guy Grossi is globally recognised as a leading Australian chef and food personality. 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.

Guy 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, with a pedigree stretching back to the early 1900’s, was re-born.

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 — 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.

Guy saw to the immediate restoration of the acclaimed Mirka Mora murals, created by an exuberant Mirka in the 60’s when she and husband Georges owned and entertained at the Tolarno Hotel. A tribute to their cultural contribution to Melbourne, the inspiring Mirka at Tolarno Hotel is once again serving up plenty of the bohemian dining experiences once offered — enriched with the Guy Grossi touch.

Often involved in numerous projects simultaneously, Guy is the author of two exquisitely presented and definitely delectable books: Guy Grossi ~ my Italian heart and Grossi Florentino ~ Secrets & Recipes, which won the Australian Food Media Book of the Year Award in 2004. Guy also enjoys sharing his insights and ideas through culinary demonstrations, radio and television appearances. 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 foundations of what we do today, and it ensures the longevity of our future.

Guy has successfully embedded ethical 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.

Guy 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, monies, the Grossi reputation, and effort to support charitable causes and environmental societies. Just to name a few......Food for Trees, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Camp Quality, Hanover, Open Family Australia, Starlight Children's Foundation, and Ovarian Cancer.