CIF Food Vendor Itinerary by Cairns Local News

Italy in the Tropics

Italy

History

Coffee

ILLY ESPRESSO - PERFECT COFFEE THE ITALIAN WAY Founded by Francesco Illy in 1933 in Italy, illy is the world’s most global coffee brand, producing the unique illy 100% Arabica blend made of 9 of the world ‘s best selections of Arabica; enjoyed each day with more than 7 million cups served in over 140 countries in the finest cafés, restaurants and hotels. Illy’s mission, passion and obsession is to delight people around the world by offering the finest coffee nature can provide.

Illy has perfected the art and science of coffee and seeks beauty in everything they do.

Illy is the benchmark for quality coffee around the world. Taste and enjoy Italy’s favourite Café brand – illy.

Contact: sebastian.catania@illy.com.au

Cannoli, Storch, Tiramisu, Biscuits, Torrone, Bombolone & Almond bread

Jack and Deborah came up with the idea for Not Only Cannoli while volunteering at the Italian Festival in 2013. The goal was to introduce traditional Italian sweets and cuisine to Townsville and surrounds. At the time, the money raised was used as donations to some of Townsville’s cycling charities.

With a new focus in mind for Not Only Cannoli and encouragement from our growing customer base, we developed it into a small business supporting local events and charities taking us as far south as Mackay, north to Cairns and west to Richmond.

During this rollercoaster ride, we have had the joy of welcoming our beautiful little boy who is regularly seen managing mum and dad and delighting our customers.

We are committed to providing the community with authentic, homemade Italian sweets and savory dishes and we are happy to be the second best in the world as we can’t beat Mamma or Nonna’s!

Wherever possible we use compostable packaging to help reduce the negative impact on the environment. We shop locally and help support local community events and hospitality industry.

Contact: enquiries@notonlycannoli.com.au

GELATO Italy

Story

Which translates to “frozen” from Italian–is a frozen treat from Italy which was originally created in the 16th century Gelato typically contains 70% less air and more flavoring than other kinds of frozen desserts, giving it a density and richness that distinguishes it from other ice creams. Here at MOOZ We are 100% locally owned and operated, we pride ourself on sourcing only the highest quality ingredients that go into our products, including nut pastes from the finest producers around the world, for example pure Sicilian pistachio as well as utilizing the rich variety of local produce that Cairns has to offer. All of our sorbets are vegan and gluten/dairy free. All of our gelato is gluten/egg free.

Flavours on the day:

Chocolate

Pistachio

Hazelnut

Vanilla

Biscoff

Ferrero Rocher

Straciatella

Choc mint

Orange chocolate

Kinder surprise

Lemon

Strawberry

Mango

Passionfruit

Mixed Bisquits Italy

VENETO

Vanillapannacottaservedwithmixedberries

AppleStrudelservedwithvanillagelato(apple,pinenuts, andraisinsinapuffpastry,servedwithvanillagelato

Story

Benvenuti! We suggest you bring your appetite. Bringing a taste of Italy to the tropics, Flynn’s Italian is Crystalbrook Collection’s signature Italian restaurant in Cairns. The sophisticated yet playful menu pays homage to the best of the region’s seasonal produce and translates it into rich Italian flavours. Taking you on a culinary journey, the traditional and reinvented classic Italian dishes are accompanied by an extensive wine list and unique cocktail program.

With sustainability in mind, Flynn’s Italian sources produce locally from within a three-hour drive of Cairns, creating seasonal menus highlighting fresh ingredients of the Tropical North. All about communal dining experiences, Flynn’s Italian is loud and fun, with an inviting atmosphere that matches the vibrancy of the Italian culture. Buon appetito.

Contact: sg@molinaro.com.au

Coffee Italy

Story

Caffè Crema is a local, family run, mobile coffee trailer offering a true taste of Italy right here in Far North Queensland. It has been a favourite stopping point by locals and visitors for over 12 years. Our authentic Italian espresso drinks are brewed using local grown coffee beans roasted… Caffè Crema is the perfect blend of European charm and Aussie hospitality. Come and try our coffee.

Starting in a small mobile coffee trailer on the side of a local highway more than 10 years ago, Caffe Crema is now a successful family run business located in the convenience of the Mareeba Centenary Park.

Contact:caffecrema4880@gmail.com

Sardinia

Story

Welcome to Piccolo Cucina, the ultimate destination for authentic Italian cuisine in Cairns. Indulge in a culinary journey through Italy as our skilled chefs craft mouthwatering dishes using the finest local ingredients. Known for our traditional pasta’s made fresh daily and hand-stretched pizzas. Immerse yourself in our warm, inviting and relaxed atmosphere, and be taken care of with top-notch service from the knowledgeable and passionate staff you don’t find anywhere else. Join us and savour the essence of Italy right here in Cairns. The locals’ favourite place to dine!

Contact: info@piccolocucina.com.au

Puglia

Story

Midway along Shields Street is where you will find PIST4CCHI Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, Cairns’ very own slice of Italy. For owners Paolo and Francesco, PIST4CCHI truly is their dream come true. A culmination of their life-long friendship, love of family, food and fun. A meeting of four teenagers starting their careers in hospitality industry in Italy, led to a great friendship between the four with their collective passion for travel and food saw the foursome adventure together worldwide for over twenty years. The time came for the foursome to divide, with two friends having to return to Italy for family reasons. Their final evening together wound up with the four lifelong friends reminiscing over a bag of pistachios, which led to quick late night dash to a tattooist for a last group tattoo; of a pistachio of course! Their dreams came true when they opened PIST4CCHI in 2021. Pronounced ‘Pistakki,’ which is of course Italian for pistachios. The A is replaced with a 4 to honour the lifelong friendship, now family, of the foursome. Handmade pastas and breads and sauces, using fresh and local ingredients as well as adding the magical ingredient to any Italian dish - that extra dash of love. Delicacies such as prosciutto, salami and cheeses are brought in from only the best Italian delis. No Italian meal is complete without wine. PIST4CCHI have every palate covered with over 100 Italian wines and some select Australian labels to complement your meal, or simply enjoy with something light from their tapas menu at the cocktail bar. Yes, PIST4CCHI is also cocktail bar! With one of the largest range of cocktails in Cairns and boasting over 100 gins from all over the world, it is a perfect place to relax with friends with a range of Italian and Australian cocktails to choose from.

Contact: dine@pistacchicairns.com

Campania

Margherita Pizza - Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil

Peperoni Pizza - Tomato, Mozzarella, Peperoni and mixed herbs

Veg Italiana Pizza - Tomato, Mozzarella, capsicum, zucchini and mushrooms

Prosciutto e Funghi - Tomato, mozzarella, prociutto cotto and mushrooms

Napoli Pizza - Tomato, garlic, anchovy, olives and mixed herbs

Story

Tony’s Pizza Cairns is a family owned and operated mobile food vendor. We will bring our Pizza Oven and deliver high quality, fresh and delicious Italian-Style wood fired Pizza – just like you would find it in the streets of Napoli in the region of Campania.

Campania is rich in culture and history, famous for its gastronomy, music and archeological sites such as Pompeii as well as famous tourist attractions like Amalfi Coast, Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the islands of Capri and Ischia.

Campania is known for three of Italy’s best-recognized contributions to the food scene: Macaroni, tomato sauce and pizza.

Pizza has a long history but it’s a widespread belief is that in June 1889 the pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito invented a dish called Pizza Margherita in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, since toppings are tomato (red), Mozzarella (white) and basil (green), ingredients inspired by the colors of the national Flag of Italy.

Contact: sam95949@bigpond.net.au

Story

Step into the heart of Melbourne and discover Abruzzo Lab, your gateway to authentic Abruzzese cuisine. Nestled in Epping, our intimate Arrosticini Bar celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Italy's Abruzzo region. Immerse yourself in the essence of Abruzzese gastronomy as you savor our signature dishes: succulent Arrosticini, lamb skewers cooked to perfection on charcoal bbq. Each bite tells a story of heritage and passion, transporting you to the sun-kissed hills and quaint villages of Abruzzo.

Lazio/Lombardia

Il Chiosco specialises in delicious Italian food featuring fresh ingredients and meticulous preparation by our dedicated team. At Il Chiosco we deliver authentic Italian dishes created with traditional recipes. Whether you're ordering a multi-course meal or grabbing a drink and pizza, Il Chiosco’s lively, casual yet formal atmosphere on the beach makes a perfect place for dining with friends, family and clients.

Contact: dine@ilchiosco.com.au

Cannelloni-Spinach,ricottaandherb-filledpastatubes, coveredwithhomemadetomatosauceandgenerously toppedwithtasycheese,thenbakedtoperfection

TANGO-Adelightfulblendoforganiclimejuice,organic sugar,andfreshmint,servedcoldforarefreshingly satisfyingdrink

Story

Mio Zio’s is an Italian Street foods business active in local markets, events and festivals in Far North Queensland with many years experience in making and serving Italy’s favourite dishes.

Contact: sg@molinaro.com.au

Emilia Romagna Basilicata

Panini/Cotolettadimanzo/LasagnaBeef CalamariGF/HotChips

Story

Porchetta (pronounced por-KET-uh) roughly means “little pig” in Italian. The dish is mainly associated with the Lazio and Umbria regions and is traditionally made with a deboned whole suckling pig stuffed with liver and herbs and slow-roasted over a wood fire. Today, porchetta is a popular street food found throughout the country. It’s made from pork belly —the same cut as bacon—rubbed with spicy fennel seeds, lemon zest and rosemary, with regional twists on additional herbs and spices. The Porchetta Roll will leave you wanting more and have you talking about it like “remember when”. A truly unforgettable mix of smokey pork and mixed herbs so rich and delicious.

Contact: shanesrhoj@gmail.com

Umbria

Porchetta Story

Contact: info@bryantsfamilybutchery.com.au

Sicilia & Piemonte

Story

The Feast of the Three Saints is held on the first Sunday in May every year in Silkwood. The Feast brings people together, in celebration, from all over North Queensland and beyond. Within the multicultural context of Australia, Sicilians are very concerned about their traditions, as religious practices play an important role in social cohesion.

In 1949 the statues of the three Saints were sent from Sicily to Silkwood, Far North Queensland.

In the following year the first feast was organized in their honour.

Some 72 years on, the feast remains as relevant as it was at its inception.

With the organization acclaimed to be the oldest and longest running religious feast in Australia’s history.

The Faith, remains the integral and most important part of the local Sicilian culture, and with that, the family unit and joyous celebration throughout the Festival is how it is honoured.

With 3rd generation families still carrying on the tradition , literally stemming back centuries back to its birth place, St Alfio.

Nestled on the highest reaches of the volcano, Mt Etna, Sicily.

Story

Discover modern Italian dining at Ollies on the exclusive Cairns Waterfront Dining Precinct in Cairns. Indulge in Australian steaks dry aged in house, fresh local seafood and artisan house made pasta and pizza.

Our multicultural kitchen with a strong Italian influence, headed by the passionate Giuseppe Morabito, whose expertise with Italian flavours will take you on a culinary journey through the Bel Paese (the beautiful country).

Contact: accounts@wilson-group.com.au

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Polenta with Sausages $12

Story

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a Northeast Italian region bordering Austria, Slovenia, and the Adriatic Sea. It is home to the Dolomite Mountains and vineyards producing white wines and local specialties which include Prosciutto of San Daniele and Montasio Cheese. In an Italian home in the early 20th Century, the family gathered around the fireplace or hearth to cook food and interact with one another. This hearth is known as a 'FOGOLAR' in the Friulan language.

When many immigrants from this area spread all over the world, they got together around their local 'FOGOLAR' to talk, eat, drink, and play cards to keep their homeland traditions alive. Today FOGOLAR Clubs are active all over the world and in Australia there is a total of eight clubs. Seven of these clubs are located in Capital Cities with the Dimbulah club being the only one located in a small country town making it unique.

The Club was established in 1981 and today has 75 Members - immigrants from Friuli and descendants. The Friulan culture and hospitality is extended and shared to all in the community and the two social events held each year (Annual Dinner in Mareeba and BBQ in Dimbulah) are well attended by people of various and diverse cultures from Dimbulah to Cairns.

Contact: fogolarfurlandimbulah@gmail.com

Cono Pizza

Pomodoro & Mozzarella

Salciccia & Mushrooms

Prosciutto Cotto & Mushrooms

Salciccia & Pecorino

Parmiggiana

Nutella

Story

Vitalia's - A delightful Italian restaurant with beautiful Pier views. By highlighting Cairns diversity and seasonality on its menu, a new Italian cuisine is redefined. Reflecting the crazy background of Lady Chef Vitalia. In our menu, in essence, you will find Italian cuisine combined with the creativity of Lady Chef. With lively service, it offers insane menus that are constantly changing with seasonal ingredients to deliver an unforgettable experience. award Join us for an adventure at Vitalia's

Contact: infovitaliasrestaurant@gmail.com

Molise

Story

"Preston Fresh Seafood is more than just a Seafood Shop!

We are locally owned & operated by the Pantacchini/Perna Family and have over 30 years’ experience in the industry.

We are food lovers and have a diverse range of Fresh & Frozen Seafood, House Smoked Seafood, Homemade Takeaway Meals, Deli Goods, Deli Meats, Pâtés, Rillettes, Juices, Milk, Cheese, Ice Cream + so much more. Come and visit us, we are located in Smithfield & Open 7 Days a Week."