HISTORY

‘Very Italian …. and more’
The Pisconeri Family are amongst the pioneers of the Western Australian food service industry. Two brothers Nicola and Giuseppe made it their business to bring the best of Italy to Perth. Nicola’s experience had been shaped several years before when he served as a quartermaster during what has come to be referred to the Italian ¬Ethiopian war in 1936. Part of his responsibility was to harvest and roast coffee picked from the wild stands of Arabica in the Ethiopian highlands. It was following his experiences in this conflict that he emigrated to Australia, and (luckily) avoided internment during the Second World War working for Wesfarmers as a mechanic and welder, that laid the foundations for his future plans. Giuseppe as well had his gastronomic military adventures, serving as a cook in the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) at a Venetian naval base before moving to join his brother in Australia.

Having its early beginnings in 1951 as a grocery and delicatessen in Northbridge and importing their own produce, from wheels of fragrant Reggiano cheese to syrupy aged balsamic vinegars in wooden casks. Coffee roasting and ice-cream making equipment soon followed. The massive influx of Italian and Greek migrants created many opportunities for the Pisconeri brothers, being able to provide the kind of foods many of the eager Europeans thought they had left behind in a shattered Europe. Surprisingly (to the brothers at least) many of the original customers were ex¬servicemen who had acquired a taste for espresso during the North African and Italian campaigns of World War 2.

Today Pisconeri is still a family run business with the same personal attention to customer service as 70 years ago and their commitment to importing the highest quality foods, wines, coffees and mineral waters from Europe and the world is as strong as ever.

“Quality and service are the two most important areas in a business like ours” says Albert Pisconeri, director and son of one of the founders Giuseppe Pisconeri. “We have been in business for almost 70 years, and if we want to be in for another 70, we have to keep that commitment”

Importing some of the finest food product’s available such as San Benedetto mineral waters from the renowned springs at Scorze, Veneto, RIO tomatoes from Naples and the artisanal craft beer Flea from Umbria named after the Fortress of Flea once used by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick. Also available are different kinds of scarce seasonal produce such as Porcini mushrooms and Black Truffles. In addition to gourmet foods, Pisconeri also carries a large range of non-edibles such as kitchen equipment, Pasta machines and wine making supplies. Behind the scenes products that aren’t exciting but fuel the engine room of busy bars and kitchens everywhere.

The Pisconeri home is in Mount Hawthorn, and being a family owned company we realise that the most important part of our business is our clients.