From humble beginnings to gastronomic glory, Angelo Grasso shares his remarkable story of triumph against the odds.
Angelo Grasso, a name synonymous with culinary excellence, has been an integral part of the local community for over four decades.
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From humble beginnings in Sicily to captivating the hearts and taste buds of the Shepparton community, his journey is one of resilience, hard work and an unwavering passion for food.
Born in Sicily in 1951, Mr Grasso embarked on a life-changing journey to Australia at the age of 12, accompanied by his parents, sister Vera and brother Charlie.
Recounting those early days, he admits he felt insignificant upon arriving in a foreign land.
Mr Grasso was a bright student in Italy; however, once he arrived in Australia, he grappled with a language he couldn’t speak and a school system that seemed worlds away from what he had known.
“I was nothing. I was absolutely nothing,” he said.
With little command over the English language and a family that shared the same predicament, Mr Grasso’s transition was far from smooth.
“We had a debt of around $9000 because we had to pay for our own way to come to Australia,” he said.
“We had no money.”
Mr Grasso’s early years were characterised by hard work and the relentless pursuit of survival.
In a society unlike today’s, where the concept of government assistance was virtually non-existent, he and his family learned that in order to live, they had to work tirelessly.
“If you worked, you ate; if you didn’t work, you starved,” he said.
Mr Grasso’s path diverged from traditional education when, at the age of 16, he left school to begin cutting sugar cane in the northern Queensland town of Ingham.
It was a physically demanding occupation, but it laid the foundation for his journey towards self-reliance.
In the following years, he travelled the vast distance between Ingham and Shepparton, picking fruit in the Goulburn Valley before returning north to cut sugar cane.
Amid this laborious routine, Mr Grasso’s entrepreneurial spirit began to emerge.
Around 1971 he purchased an orchard in Ardmona and then ventured into the culinary world, opening a pizza shop named La Taverna with new business partner Toni Alambi.
This was just the beginning of a lifelong passion for food that would shape Mr Grasso’s legacy.
In 1977, Cellar 47 was born, forever altering the dining landscape of Shepparton.
Mr Grasso’s vision was to revolutionise the town’s culinary offerings by introducing diverse and exotic flavours.
“We started using things like frog legs and snails ... introducing veal,” he said.
Although the Italian variety of food at the restaurant was not large, the flavours and traditions of Italy were infused into every dish, creating a unique and cherished experience.
The journey had its share of hurdles, but Mr Grasso’s resilience and unwavering passion ensured his triumph over adversity.
He applied for and secured one of the first liquor licences in the region, elevating Cellar 47 to the status of a fully licensed restaurant.
But Mr Grasso’s achievements extend beyond his professional accomplishments.
Family has always played a pivotal role in his life.
In 1979, he married his wife, Franca, and together they raised three children: Bianca, Adriana and John.
As a true family affair, the restaurant became a second home, where his children grew up and began working part-time, absorbing the essence of their father’s passion.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr Grasso shared invaluable advice his father once imparted.
“You need passion for what you do in life. It doesn’t matter what you want to do; if you’ve got a passion for what you’re doing, you will always succeed,” he said.
These words became the guiding principle for Mr Grasso, shaping his unwavering commitment to excellence in his pursuits.
Even amid life’s challenges, Mr Grasso remained grateful.
His daughter Adriana was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a decade ago, but she has faced the hurdles with remarkable strength.
Today, she serves as an ambassador for MS research and development.
“She’s a very tough young lady,” he said.
Mr Grasso spends a large portion of his time with his family, notably his grandchildren and his 92-year-old mother, Maria.
This year he is looking forward to visiting Sicily for the first time since moving to Australia almost 60 years ago.
But his heart remains in Shepparton, where he has built a successful business and a strong connection with the community.
“I’ve been gifted by Shepparton,” he said.
“And I would like to thank my Shepparton family that have supported me through the years.
“I still believe that Australia is the land of opportunity.”
Cadet Journalist