CAREERS AT STEFANO'S

What is Stefano’s?
Stefano’s is a highly idiosyncratic dining venue which sprang from the combined vision and passion of Don Carrazza, owner of the Mildura Grand Hotel and his son-in-law, Stefano de Pieri.

Don saw the potential of the original cellar of the historic hotel and imagined using the space as a ‘cantina’, the sort of underground, rustic environment that would appeal for its evocative atmosphere and the inevitable conviviality that would arise with contented diners.

Once up and running by 1991, it commenced as a very simple affair with bare wooden tables, a basic blackboard menu and paper napkins. Stefano, working in partnership with his wife, Donata Carrazza, began to prepare traditional, rustic Italian fare, similar to the cooking he grew up with in the Veneto region of Italy. Diners would peruse the blackboard menu, but were delighted to take up Stefano’s suggestion that he simply feed them with what he had prepared for the day. This style of dining with a set price per person became synonymous with dining at Stefano’s and continues to be so. The menu comprises traditional Italian cuisine with an emphasis on regional, seasonal produce.

It is served as a five course degustation menu at a set price, with a restaurant capacity of 50 diners. Stefano’s was a pioneer in offering this style of dining, and the hospitality industry now embraces it with many well known and highly regarded restaurants now offering a degustation menu. Stefano’s is the only restaurant in Mildura to provide this style of dining experience exclusively.

The restaurant and Stefano have been bestowed numerous awards and continue to attract local, interstate and international diners. With every new accolade each new diner has ever increasing expectations, and the owners always continue to evolve the restaurant and the dining experience. An extensive and award-winning wine list with over 400 Australian and imported wines ranging from $40 to $1,500 per bottle is another feather in the restaurant’s boa.

Stefano’s also has the celebrity association with Stefano de Pieri, for whom many diners visit the restaurant. They visit to see the restaurant associated with the popular television series “A Gondola on the Murray”, to hopefully meet the charismatic Stefano (who when in the kitchen always goes and greets every diner) and to partake in one of regional Australia’s best restaurants.

Stefano’s continues to be a major culinary destination and brings much tourism to Mildura while providing the town with a superior dining establishment for corporate dining, special occasions and the simple pleasure of eating good food.

Why Work at Stefano’s?