Ronnie di Stasio

Rinaldo (Ronnie) di Stasio (born 1955 in Melbourne) is a restaurateur, vigneron and patron of architecture and the arts.

He is of Naplese origin, di Stasio grew up in Thornbury, Victoria 11 km (7 miles) north of Melbourne. He is known as the godfather of Melbourne restaurants.

Restaurateur

Di Stasio began his career as front-of-house manager of Mietta’s and (Paul) Lynch’s. He operated with Piero Gesualdi, "Rosati", in Flinders Lane. Melbourne.

Di Stasio opened Café di Stasio in Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda in 1988. [ [http://www.distasio.com.au/category/cafe-di-stasio/restaurant/ Di Stasio] ] The interior was designed by architect Allan Powell. For years di Stasio held a formidable reputation for his strong personality and unyielding strength of character, since tempered.

The restaurant is two hatted in "The Age Good Food Guide".In 2007 he was awarded for Professional Excellence. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/epicure/professional-excellence-award/2007/08/27/1188066984156.html "The Age"] . ]

Restaurant Manager Mallory Wall won the Gourmet Traveller award for Maitre d’ of the year 2007. [ [http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/News/news.aspx?newsId=1160 Best Restaurants] ]

Chef Michael Darmanin was awarded the "Age Good Food Guide" Chef of the Year 2006.

Awards

*"Age Good Food Guide" 2008. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*"Age Good Food Guide" 2006. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*"Age Good Food Guide" 2004. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*"Age Good Food Guide" 2003. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*"Australian" Gourmet Pages Restaurant of the Year 2002

Di Stasio Winery

The winery is located in the historic Yarra Valley, where vines were first grown in Victoria.

The winery house was also designed by Allan Powell.

Di Stasio wines produced and bottled on site include chardonnay and pinot noir. [ [http://www.distasio.com.au/category/di-stasio-wines/vineyard/ Di Stasio] ]

Art Patron

Di Stasio holds a considerable collection of Australian art, particularly of the photographer Bill Hensen. [ [http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/18/Bill_Henson/ Roslyn Oxley9] ]

Venice Architecture Biennale. Patron

Di Stasio has been a major sponsor of the Australian Architecture Biennale in Venice [ [http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/ La Biennale] ] for the 10th and 11th Bienalle’s. He is active in the promotion of the Architecture Bienalle using a series a now famed ‘virtual’ advertisements published in "The Age". Di Stasio sees participation in the Biennale as an essential part of Australian culture and a bridging between his two nationalities – Italy and Australia.

An architectural design ideas competition was launched by di Stasio on February 26 2008, for a design for a new Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. [ [http://www.deathbyarchitecture.com/viewCompetition.html?id=404 Death by architecture] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/19/1084917646794.html The Age]
* [http://www.miettas.com.au/Australia/Victoria/St_Kilda/Cafe_Di_Stasio.html Miettas]
* [http://www.distasio.com.au/ Cafe di Stasio]