A little bit of Italy in South Australia
Meet Matteo and Fiona Carboni, owners of Casa Carboni
Break-ups are difficult and in the early days of my break-up, I found myself confused and worried. I was in a place of unknown, a place of anger and sadness. Having the support of friends was truly a blessing. The only thing was, two dear friends of mine lived so far away. So a girl’s trip away to South Australia was great timing.
Destination… ‘Barossa Valley’, South Australia
A trip of wine tasting, a trip of eating, a trip to bond, a trip to catch-up and more.
We booked an Italian cooking class in a small town called Angaston, one of the oldest towns in South Australia. What I didn’t expect on this trip was to meet a man who inspired me. An Italian from Prama, who married an Australian from Wagga who have two children together and run a successful business.
I’m talking about Matteo Carboni who owns an Italian Cooking School and Restaurant with his wife Fiona.
Walking into the restaurant and greeted with a warm Ciao really felt as if we were in a small Italian town. And with my trip to Tuscany coming up in a few months, it was the start of my journey.
The atmosphere was friendly, the stories shared were uplifting, the cooking class was educational and the food was delicious, not to mention the Italian wine handpicked by Matteo and Fiona!
That balmy evening of March 2014, Matteo, who even in my darkest moments of my break-up made me realise there were men out there with love... love for their wife, love for their family, and love for life.
Seeing and listening to Matteo’s passion for his heritage, his family and his business was wonderful, so I wanted to share his story and his wife’s story and about how Casa Carboni became.
Destination… ‘Barossa Valley’, South Australia
A trip of wine tasting, a trip of eating, a trip to bond, a trip to catch-up and more.
We booked an Italian cooking class in a small town called Angaston, one of the oldest towns in South Australia. What I didn’t expect on this trip was to meet a man who inspired me. An Italian from Prama, who married an Australian from Wagga who have two children together and run a successful business.
I’m talking about Matteo Carboni who owns an Italian Cooking School and Restaurant with his wife Fiona.
Walking into the restaurant and greeted with a warm Ciao really felt as if we were in a small Italian town. And with my trip to Tuscany coming up in a few months, it was the start of my journey.
The atmosphere was friendly, the stories shared were uplifting, the cooking class was educational and the food was delicious, not to mention the Italian wine handpicked by Matteo and Fiona!
That balmy evening of March 2014, Matteo, who even in my darkest moments of my break-up made me realise there were men out there with love... love for their wife, love for their family, and love for life.
Seeing and listening to Matteo’s passion for his heritage, his family and his business was wonderful, so I wanted to share his story and his wife’s story and about how Casa Carboni became.
Thank you Matteo and Fiona for taking the time to share about your life together and Casa Carboni.
Matteo when did you come to Australia and was it your intention to stay here?
I first came to Australia in 2005 to work in a winery in Victoria. The original plan was to spend 4 months working, 5/6 weeks backpacking (I went to New Zealand) and return to Italy. I met Fiona after a month that I arrived; things went according to plan but I ended up coming back to Australia later in 2005.
Matteo have you always had a passion for cooking?
No. My first passion was wine (during my years at University) but I immediately understood that you need food (possibly good food) to better enjoy wine. I started cooking in the worst way: watching Cooking Shows and Magazines…I started working in a commercial kitchen only after finishing University. That was the only way to become a Chef.
Tell me how did you both meet?
2004 Vintage Launch Dinner at Summerfield (Moonambel, VIC); they were one of Fiona’s customer’s and I had been invited as a member of Warrenmang, a winery next door.
How did Casa Carboni become?
Cave Madleine in Beaune is our inspiration; a place very similar to Casa Carboni (it is just a restaurant without a cooking school). We always wanted our own place and initially the plan was going back to Melbourne. We both fell in love with the Barossa and, when the location where we are now came available for lease, we decided to try. We are so happy of our choice; what would have been “another Italian place” in Melbourne, it is unique in South Australia.
When did Casa Carboni open and what dreams did you have for your Cooking School and Restaurant?
We opened on the 17th of December 2012; the dream is that we can make a living out of our business.
Living on the Eastern side of Australia I had never heard of Angaston, and wonder what brought you to Angaston?
A very good friend of Fiona is the GM at the Novotel in Rowland Flat; since she moved to the Barossa in 2011, she had tried to “sell” the Barossa to her friends, so they could move here. I am glad that she insisted so much with Fiona…
Matteo what was it like growing up in Italy? How is it different to the way your children are brought up in Australia?
I think it was good; my parents (and grandparents) brought me up in a very good way. In Australia it is very different but I think we are giving our children the best of both cultures (I only speak Italian with my kids).
Do you travel back to Italy?
We travel every year for 5 weeks between the end of June and the beginning of August; it is essential for many reasons: we all need a break, I need to see my family and friends, my kids need to spend time with my mother and improving their Italian. There is also a business reason: we visit wine and food producers that we import in Australia to sell in our shop.
What is your favourite meal to cook? Fiona do you ever get a chance to cook?
I do not have any favourite; what gives me more satisfaction is fresh pasta because it's part of my family tradition.
Fiona cooks very well, especially Asian food. She cooks at home.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Sofia started school, we bought a house and our business seems to be going in the right direction.
Lastly, Matteo you inspired me during my break-up journey, who inspires you?
First source of inspiration is my family, here and in Italy. Local produce (here in the Barossa are excellent) gives me inspiration every day. People give me inspiration every time they tell me how much they enjoyed themselves in our class or during a dining experience. I only wish I could share this with my dad and my grandmother that have been a huge source of support and inspiration.
I first came to Australia in 2005 to work in a winery in Victoria. The original plan was to spend 4 months working, 5/6 weeks backpacking (I went to New Zealand) and return to Italy. I met Fiona after a month that I arrived; things went according to plan but I ended up coming back to Australia later in 2005.
Matteo have you always had a passion for cooking?
No. My first passion was wine (during my years at University) but I immediately understood that you need food (possibly good food) to better enjoy wine. I started cooking in the worst way: watching Cooking Shows and Magazines…I started working in a commercial kitchen only after finishing University. That was the only way to become a Chef.
Tell me how did you both meet?
2004 Vintage Launch Dinner at Summerfield (Moonambel, VIC); they were one of Fiona’s customer’s and I had been invited as a member of Warrenmang, a winery next door.
How did Casa Carboni become?
Cave Madleine in Beaune is our inspiration; a place very similar to Casa Carboni (it is just a restaurant without a cooking school). We always wanted our own place and initially the plan was going back to Melbourne. We both fell in love with the Barossa and, when the location where we are now came available for lease, we decided to try. We are so happy of our choice; what would have been “another Italian place” in Melbourne, it is unique in South Australia.
When did Casa Carboni open and what dreams did you have for your Cooking School and Restaurant?
We opened on the 17th of December 2012; the dream is that we can make a living out of our business.
Living on the Eastern side of Australia I had never heard of Angaston, and wonder what brought you to Angaston?
A very good friend of Fiona is the GM at the Novotel in Rowland Flat; since she moved to the Barossa in 2011, she had tried to “sell” the Barossa to her friends, so they could move here. I am glad that she insisted so much with Fiona…
Matteo what was it like growing up in Italy? How is it different to the way your children are brought up in Australia?
I think it was good; my parents (and grandparents) brought me up in a very good way. In Australia it is very different but I think we are giving our children the best of both cultures (I only speak Italian with my kids).
Do you travel back to Italy?
We travel every year for 5 weeks between the end of June and the beginning of August; it is essential for many reasons: we all need a break, I need to see my family and friends, my kids need to spend time with my mother and improving their Italian. There is also a business reason: we visit wine and food producers that we import in Australia to sell in our shop.
What is your favourite meal to cook? Fiona do you ever get a chance to cook?
I do not have any favourite; what gives me more satisfaction is fresh pasta because it's part of my family tradition.
Fiona cooks very well, especially Asian food. She cooks at home.
What are you most excited about for the year ahead?
Sofia started school, we bought a house and our business seems to be going in the right direction.
Lastly, Matteo you inspired me during my break-up journey, who inspires you?
First source of inspiration is my family, here and in Italy. Local produce (here in the Barossa are excellent) gives me inspiration every day. People give me inspiration every time they tell me how much they enjoyed themselves in our class or during a dining experience. I only wish I could share this with my dad and my grandmother that have been a huge source of support and inspiration.
A lovely place to visit, I really hope you can visit Casa Carboni one day and meet Matteo and Fiona.
For more information about Casa Carboni visit http://www.casacarboni.com.au/