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400 GRADI YARRA VALLEY OPENING NIGHT
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Bohemian Rhapsody Club and Magazine was lucky enough to cover the media evening devoted to the grand opening of 400 Gradi's new location at the Yarra Valley (Rochford Winery).
We arrived early to admire the green rolling hills of the surrounding winery region to say hi to the event organisers and to search and explore. I loved it. The place was a very peaceful place set up in the grape vine orchard and the newly erected building was very modern and cozy.
The guests started to arrive slowly to the location to celebrate the event and the 400 Gradi two levels contemporary shed. Gradually filling up to a large crowd, we were surrounded by many guests in around an hour: among them VIPs, local neighbour winery owners , celebrities and fans. Aperol Spritz mixes and wines were offered to the guests on arrival as well as yummy snacks in the form of canapes prepared by the 400 Gradi renowned chefs.
What touched me while I was getting ready to attend the event and reading about the company was Johnny's (the 400 Gradi business owner) journey from the simple kitchen worker who loved cooking and loved creating pizza with authentic recipes to the pizza grand maestro and expert, I would even say a master chef in food and in the art of its creating. The history of 400 Gradi starts with Johnny being motivated by the desire of buying a pair of sneakers that his parents could not afford to buy, so a young Johnny decided to earn and buy out the shoes himself. He was so taken by the experience that he would miss his classes just to run back to the cafe and continue to work and experiment. This is the good exampe when the simple and humble desire basically shaped his all future life in the most profound way.
We arrived early to admire the green rolling hills of the surrounding winery region to say hi to the event organisers and to search and explore. I loved it. The place was a very peaceful place set up in the grape vine orchard and the newly erected building was very modern and cozy.
The guests started to arrive slowly to the location to celebrate the event and the 400 Gradi two levels contemporary shed. Gradually filling up to a large crowd, we were surrounded by many guests in around an hour: among them VIPs, local neighbour winery owners , celebrities and fans. Aperol Spritz mixes and wines were offered to the guests on arrival as well as yummy snacks in the form of canapes prepared by the 400 Gradi renowned chefs.
What touched me while I was getting ready to attend the event and reading about the company was Johnny's (the 400 Gradi business owner) journey from the simple kitchen worker who loved cooking and loved creating pizza with authentic recipes to the pizza grand maestro and expert, I would even say a master chef in food and in the art of its creating. The history of 400 Gradi starts with Johnny being motivated by the desire of buying a pair of sneakers that his parents could not afford to buy, so a young Johnny decided to earn and buy out the shoes himself. He was so taken by the experience that he would miss his classes just to run back to the cafe and continue to work and experiment. This is the good exampe when the simple and humble desire basically shaped his all future life in the most profound way.
HISTORY
Where it All Started…Born from a desire to bring traditional, authentic Neapolitan cuisine to Melbourne, 400 Gradi offers customers the ultimate Italian dining experience. But it was not the love for Italian food that started this business. It was the desire for a pair of sneakers.
Since the age of 12, 400 Gradi founder Johnny Di Francesco has had a love for pizza and traditional Italian food that has driven him. Starting at the very bottom, Johnny began working in a pizzeria after school so he could buy himself the sneakers that his parents could not afford for him. Working his way up the ranks, Johnny developed an undeniable love for the food he was creating and by the age of 15, he was hooked.
Having commenced an engineering degree, Johnny realised in a first year lecture that he was constantly daydreaming about getting back to his job at the pizza shop. Gathering his things, he excused himself to go to the bathroom, and never returned. Johnny’s life as a restaurateur began.
After heading to Italy to train in traditional techniques, methods, and in restaurants across the country, Johnny returned to Melbourne determined to introduce the food of Naples to his homeland in Melbourne.
The Birth of 400 GradiIn 2008, 400 Gradi was born with the opening of 400 Gradi Brunswick in Melbourne. 400 Gradi refers to the high temperature at which a thin-based traditional Neapolitan pizza is cooked (for just 90 seconds!) in a wood-fired oven.
In April 2014, Johnny was crowned the World Pizza Champion at the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza in Italy, the first Australian to have ever won. Competing against 600 other competitors from 35 countries, Johnny’s Margherita Pizza took out the top prize.
Now a Melbourne institution, 400 Gradi Brunswick embodies Johnny’s passion and love of food, and has resulted in the expansion of the Gradi Group.
Interstate and International Expansion
400 Gradi now has restaurants in Essendon and at Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood, as well as a coveted position at Crown Melbourne.
Johnny has even opened up a gelataria serving traditional, handmade gelato, Zero Gradi, next door to 400 Gradi in Brunswick. There is also a 400 Gradi restaurant on P&O’s Pacific Explorer cruise ship.
In late 2017, the first 400 Gradi restaurant opened in Bahrain, and more restaurants are due to open in 2018 in Kuwait, New Zealand and Dallas, Texas in the U.S.
An Authority on Pizza Napoletana400 Gradi adheres to the guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the world authority on traditional Neapolitan pizza). Johnny was the first ever Australian inducted into the AVPN, and is the Principal of Australasia for the Association.
As such, Johnny and 400 Gradi have solidified their place as an authority on traditional Neapolitan pizza. 400 Gradi restaurants excel not only in serving up heavenly fare, but also in offering the warmth and hospitality that Italians are known and loved for.
READ MORE
Where it All Started…Born from a desire to bring traditional, authentic Neapolitan cuisine to Melbourne, 400 Gradi offers customers the ultimate Italian dining experience. But it was not the love for Italian food that started this business. It was the desire for a pair of sneakers.
Since the age of 12, 400 Gradi founder Johnny Di Francesco has had a love for pizza and traditional Italian food that has driven him. Starting at the very bottom, Johnny began working in a pizzeria after school so he could buy himself the sneakers that his parents could not afford for him. Working his way up the ranks, Johnny developed an undeniable love for the food he was creating and by the age of 15, he was hooked.
Having commenced an engineering degree, Johnny realised in a first year lecture that he was constantly daydreaming about getting back to his job at the pizza shop. Gathering his things, he excused himself to go to the bathroom, and never returned. Johnny’s life as a restaurateur began.
After heading to Italy to train in traditional techniques, methods, and in restaurants across the country, Johnny returned to Melbourne determined to introduce the food of Naples to his homeland in Melbourne.
The Birth of 400 GradiIn 2008, 400 Gradi was born with the opening of 400 Gradi Brunswick in Melbourne. 400 Gradi refers to the high temperature at which a thin-based traditional Neapolitan pizza is cooked (for just 90 seconds!) in a wood-fired oven.
In April 2014, Johnny was crowned the World Pizza Champion at the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza in Italy, the first Australian to have ever won. Competing against 600 other competitors from 35 countries, Johnny’s Margherita Pizza took out the top prize.
Now a Melbourne institution, 400 Gradi Brunswick embodies Johnny’s passion and love of food, and has resulted in the expansion of the Gradi Group.
Interstate and International Expansion
400 Gradi now has restaurants in Essendon and at Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood, as well as a coveted position at Crown Melbourne.
Johnny has even opened up a gelataria serving traditional, handmade gelato, Zero Gradi, next door to 400 Gradi in Brunswick. There is also a 400 Gradi restaurant on P&O’s Pacific Explorer cruise ship.
In late 2017, the first 400 Gradi restaurant opened in Bahrain, and more restaurants are due to open in 2018 in Kuwait, New Zealand and Dallas, Texas in the U.S.
An Authority on Pizza Napoletana400 Gradi adheres to the guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the world authority on traditional Neapolitan pizza). Johnny was the first ever Australian inducted into the AVPN, and is the Principal of Australasia for the Association.
As such, Johnny and 400 Gradi have solidified their place as an authority on traditional Neapolitan pizza. 400 Gradi restaurants excel not only in serving up heavenly fare, but also in offering the warmth and hospitality that Italians are known and loved for.
READ MORE
Image above: Helmut Konecsny and Johnny di Franceso
The MC opened the event by talking about the 5 star Rochford Winery that produces incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her well prepared speech was also about the wines and the food and how they match. The welcoming drinks were vanishing as the guests enjoyed the great company of friends and socialising, making new contacts and discussing the wines and food on offer.
The guests were entertained by STTA the band with their great music selection of the night. As their name suggests, they certainly were Something To Talk About.
The guests were entertained by STTA the band with their great music selection of the night. As their name suggests, they certainly were Something To Talk About.
A BIT OF LYRICS ABOUT THE WINE REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA AND YARRA VALLEY WITH ITS EXCEPTIONAL WINES
Australia has round about 100 different wine regions, with nearly 70 of these having been officially recognised. Internationally there are three regions with the biggest reputation including Barossa Valley in South Australia, Margaret River in West Australia, and – very proudly – the Yarra Valley, here in Victoria. The Yarra Valley is very well known internationally for its exceptional quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Yarra Valley is a diverse region with all sorts of sites and aspects, from the warmer vineyards found in the Valley’s floors, to the vineyards in the considerably cooler hills. With fruit ripening at different speeds due to these various temperatures, we can end up with a series of varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. So what characters does a Yarra Valley Chardonnay normally show?
Typically a Yarra Valley Chardonnay will be perfumed with white and yellow flowers on the nose. There can also be characteristics such as grapefruit, peach, and honeydew melon. On the palate, the wines have roundness and viscosity but they’re never too heavy, or too oily.
A Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is a very thin skin variety, so the colour of the pinot is not that deep. A great quote from Australian Wine Critic Jeremy Oliver about Pinot Noir: ‘ The Yarra Valley pinot is all about fragrance, flowers, cherries, small fruits, it is very gentle but explosively flavoured. And even though it can be gentle, there is genuine structure, fine tannins, so it is a real contrast” Here at Rochford Wines - which is located within the Valley floor – we experience a warmer part of the region, the Chardonnay fruit and Pinot fruit ripen with more density, more richness, more roundness, and a more powerful core. Rochford also sources grapes from the Upper Yarra, the chardonnay and pinots from there tend to be more perfumed, more fragrant, lighter to medium body, beautiful natural acidity, with great lemon fruit freshness. Tonight we are delighted to be offering 3 tasting stations to showcase the style of Rochford Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Isabella sparkling. A little later on I’ll be chatting with some of the Rochford sommeliers about some of the incredible Rochford Wines so stay tuned for that!
Australia has round about 100 different wine regions, with nearly 70 of these having been officially recognised. Internationally there are three regions with the biggest reputation including Barossa Valley in South Australia, Margaret River in West Australia, and – very proudly – the Yarra Valley, here in Victoria. The Yarra Valley is very well known internationally for its exceptional quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Yarra Valley is a diverse region with all sorts of sites and aspects, from the warmer vineyards found in the Valley’s floors, to the vineyards in the considerably cooler hills. With fruit ripening at different speeds due to these various temperatures, we can end up with a series of varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. So what characters does a Yarra Valley Chardonnay normally show?
Typically a Yarra Valley Chardonnay will be perfumed with white and yellow flowers on the nose. There can also be characteristics such as grapefruit, peach, and honeydew melon. On the palate, the wines have roundness and viscosity but they’re never too heavy, or too oily.
A Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is a very thin skin variety, so the colour of the pinot is not that deep. A great quote from Australian Wine Critic Jeremy Oliver about Pinot Noir: ‘ The Yarra Valley pinot is all about fragrance, flowers, cherries, small fruits, it is very gentle but explosively flavoured. And even though it can be gentle, there is genuine structure, fine tannins, so it is a real contrast” Here at Rochford Wines - which is located within the Valley floor – we experience a warmer part of the region, the Chardonnay fruit and Pinot fruit ripen with more density, more richness, more roundness, and a more powerful core. Rochford also sources grapes from the Upper Yarra, the chardonnay and pinots from there tend to be more perfumed, more fragrant, lighter to medium body, beautiful natural acidity, with great lemon fruit freshness. Tonight we are delighted to be offering 3 tasting stations to showcase the style of Rochford Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Isabella sparkling. A little later on I’ll be chatting with some of the Rochford sommeliers about some of the incredible Rochford Wines so stay tuned for that!
photos: Peter Morris
The guests of the event were then invited to wonder around to the tasting stations and sample some of the beautiful Rochford produce. At the same time the Salumi and Formaggi grazing table got opened.
A special "thank you" speech was delivered to the honorable David Hodgett – The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and his wife Tina for joining the 400 Gradi opening night.
The evening continued with speeches from Johnny Di Francesco the owner of 400 Gradi and Helmut Konecsny, the Rochford Winery owner . In his speech Johnny said: "I am so passionate about what I do. Bringing the traditional food of Naples to the Yarra Valley is part of a continued plan to share my love for Italian cuisine with as many people as possible. I thank Helmut for the opportunity to partner with such a world-class winery.”
“It’s a thrill to welcome Johnny and his team at 400 Gradi to our Rochford Wines family. We have no doubt that people will embrace this unique and new experience of 400 Gradi –Yarra Valley, and look forward to a long and successful partnership,” said Konecsny.
The guests were lead to the three tasting stations of the Rochford Wines on offer:
Chardonnay station: 4 x Chardonnay
Pinot Noir Station: 4 x Pinot + 1 Rose
Sparkling station: Isabella’s Sparkling + Prosecco
Cocktails (with Aperol Spritz).
Pizza was served and what pizza! In that moment, many of us realised why Johnny was awarded so many first prizes in authentic pizza making. The base was made from freshest, melt in your mouth dough, thin and soft; the tomatoes on the pizza were thoroughly peeled and freshly prepared from the natural ingredients and real life ripe tomatoes with their special aroma and texture... what a taste! The pizzas were varied and were topped with most delicious ingredients! Thumbs up maestro as that pizza was a symphony of the night!
Johnny's demonstration of Cacio E Pepe followed as the evening progressed, was most sensational; it was captured on cameras by many guests as well as enjoyed by many. It was an art of sensational food in all its aspects: taste, style, presentation, demonstration, special approach and delivery (the final wow factor). Meanwhile, the dancing started...
Desserts were served and prepared with the most tasteful fruit and berries and they were to die for! My mind still returns to this event - not only because of the very special night 400 Gradi held but mainly for the opportunity to meet all its guests, fans and clients and to enjoy the atmosphere they created for all of us: joy, the richness of Earth gifts and abundance given by the people who work on Earth shaping its most precious gifts for us... We all create on this planet. When the beauty comes into our sight from no where we all turn our heads to it to admire it saying "I have experienced love and joy... I am happy at this moment that works wonders and miracles for me... " so it was one of those evenings, not to forget but to continue for many by inviting their friends to this phenomenal location with its hard working people who sculpture this beauty!
review: Natasha Marchev
A special "thank you" speech was delivered to the honorable David Hodgett – The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and his wife Tina for joining the 400 Gradi opening night.
The evening continued with speeches from Johnny Di Francesco the owner of 400 Gradi and Helmut Konecsny, the Rochford Winery owner . In his speech Johnny said: "I am so passionate about what I do. Bringing the traditional food of Naples to the Yarra Valley is part of a continued plan to share my love for Italian cuisine with as many people as possible. I thank Helmut for the opportunity to partner with such a world-class winery.”
“It’s a thrill to welcome Johnny and his team at 400 Gradi to our Rochford Wines family. We have no doubt that people will embrace this unique and new experience of 400 Gradi –Yarra Valley, and look forward to a long and successful partnership,” said Konecsny.
The guests were lead to the three tasting stations of the Rochford Wines on offer:
Chardonnay station: 4 x Chardonnay
Pinot Noir Station: 4 x Pinot + 1 Rose
Sparkling station: Isabella’s Sparkling + Prosecco
Cocktails (with Aperol Spritz).
Pizza was served and what pizza! In that moment, many of us realised why Johnny was awarded so many first prizes in authentic pizza making. The base was made from freshest, melt in your mouth dough, thin and soft; the tomatoes on the pizza were thoroughly peeled and freshly prepared from the natural ingredients and real life ripe tomatoes with their special aroma and texture... what a taste! The pizzas were varied and were topped with most delicious ingredients! Thumbs up maestro as that pizza was a symphony of the night!
Johnny's demonstration of Cacio E Pepe followed as the evening progressed, was most sensational; it was captured on cameras by many guests as well as enjoyed by many. It was an art of sensational food in all its aspects: taste, style, presentation, demonstration, special approach and delivery (the final wow factor). Meanwhile, the dancing started...
Desserts were served and prepared with the most tasteful fruit and berries and they were to die for! My mind still returns to this event - not only because of the very special night 400 Gradi held but mainly for the opportunity to meet all its guests, fans and clients and to enjoy the atmosphere they created for all of us: joy, the richness of Earth gifts and abundance given by the people who work on Earth shaping its most precious gifts for us... We all create on this planet. When the beauty comes into our sight from no where we all turn our heads to it to admire it saying "I have experienced love and joy... I am happy at this moment that works wonders and miracles for me... " so it was one of those evenings, not to forget but to continue for many by inviting their friends to this phenomenal location with its hard working people who sculpture this beauty!
review: Natasha Marchev
Filming and editing Bilal W. Masri at Bilal Masri Photography and Film Production
...What was there to take home in our hearts and remember :
the facts
~ best pizza in the world and the best pizza in the Oceania region
~ 400 Gradi restaurant bringing traditional Italian cuisine and the cellar door experience of famed authentic world class Rochford Wines that should be tested by many!
~ 400 Gradi’s serving its favourite dishes: award-winning margherita verace pizza, antipasto dishes, pizzas and desserts that should be tried to believe
~ Rochford serving best wines, including the 2017 single vineyard Isabella’s chardonnay and the increasingly popular 2018 estate Rosé.
~ 400 Gradi creating the world's cheesiest 150-formaggio pizza and serving its famous Neapolitan-style pizzas - the tasting practice that should be repeated to recall and celebrate
~ no matter what we eat it is all about and up to our taste buds and they always tell the truth to us
What is still a bit unclear though:
~ has Johnny finally bought that pair of sneakers or is he still wearing something else?... I wish to believe that this 'something else' is the best shoes from designer Versace's collection... but it is only of course a humble joke... well... I saw the sneakers!!!!
the facts
~ best pizza in the world and the best pizza in the Oceania region
~ 400 Gradi restaurant bringing traditional Italian cuisine and the cellar door experience of famed authentic world class Rochford Wines that should be tested by many!
~ 400 Gradi’s serving its favourite dishes: award-winning margherita verace pizza, antipasto dishes, pizzas and desserts that should be tried to believe
~ Rochford serving best wines, including the 2017 single vineyard Isabella’s chardonnay and the increasingly popular 2018 estate Rosé.
~ 400 Gradi creating the world's cheesiest 150-formaggio pizza and serving its famous Neapolitan-style pizzas - the tasting practice that should be repeated to recall and celebrate
~ no matter what we eat it is all about and up to our taste buds and they always tell the truth to us
What is still a bit unclear though:
~ has Johnny finally bought that pair of sneakers or is he still wearing something else?... I wish to believe that this 'something else' is the best shoes from designer Versace's collection... but it is only of course a humble joke... well... I saw the sneakers!!!!
BTS photography: Natasha Marchev
Filming and editing Bilal W. Masri at Bilal Masri Photography and Film Production
exclusively for Bohemian Rhapsody Magazine, Independent Media and Publicity Channel
Bohemian Rhapsody Magazine expresses its special thanks to:
Johnny Di Francesco the owner of 400 Gradi,
Helmut Konecsny, the Rochford Winery owner
Michelle Schembri-Lipscombe from Bloom Entertainment by Design,
Lorenzo Iannotti from STTA the Band and
Mish Palmer from Modern Currency
for the kind invite and opportunity to cover the media grand opening night
as well as Bilal and Peter for their art works. .
Entertainment: STTA the Band & Bloom Entertainment by Design
BTS Photos: Peter Morris
exclusively for Bohemian Rhapsody Magazine, Independent Media and Publicity Channel
Bohemian Rhapsody Magazine expresses its special thanks to:
Johnny Di Francesco the owner of 400 Gradi,
Helmut Konecsny, the Rochford Winery owner
Michelle Schembri-Lipscombe from Bloom Entertainment by Design,
Lorenzo Iannotti from STTA the Band and
Mish Palmer from Modern Currency
for the kind invite and opportunity to cover the media grand opening night
as well as Bilal and Peter for their art works. .
Entertainment: STTA the Band & Bloom Entertainment by Design
BTS Photos: Peter Morris
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