Ronnie di Stasio

Rinaldo (Ronnie) di Stasio (born 1955 in Melbourne) is a restaurateur, vigneron and patron of architecture and the arts. Of Neapolitan origin, di Stasio grew up in Thornbury, Victoria, north of Melbourne, Australia. He is known as the godfather of Melbourne restaurateurs.
Restaurateur
Di Stasio began his career as front-of-house manager of "Mietta's" and "Lynch’s". He operated "Rosati" with Piero Gesualdi, in Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Di Stasio opened "Café di Stasio" in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria in 1988. The interior was designed by architect Allan Powell. The restaurant was awarded "Two Hats" in The Age Good Food Guide.
Awards
In 2007 Di Stasio received an award for Professional Excellence.
Restaurant Manager Mallory Wall won the Gourmet Traveller award for Maitre d’ of the year, 2007.
Chef Michael Darmanin was awarded The Age Good Food Guide Chef of the Year, 2006.
*The Age Good Food Guide, 2008. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*The Age Good Food Guide, 2006. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*The Age Good Food Guide, 2004. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*The Age Good Food Guide, 2003. Score 17/20, Two Hats.
*The Australian Gourmet Pages Restaurant of the Year, 2002.
Di Stasio Winery
The Di Stasio Winery, with its building designed by Allan Powell, is located in the historic Yarra Valley, where vines were first grown in Victoria. Di Stasio wines produced and bottled on site include Chardonnay and Pinot noir.
Art Patron
Di Stasio holds a considerable collection of Australian art, particularly of photographer Bill Henson.
Patron of the Venice Architecture Biennale
Di Stasio has been a major sponsor of the Australian exhibit at the Venice Biennale of Architecture for the 10th and 11th Biennales. He is active in the promotion of the Architecture Bienalle, using a series of ‘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 Italian and Australian nationalities.
On 26 February 2008, di Stasio launched a competition seeking architectural designs for a new Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
An exhibition of the short-listed entries was held at the Heide Museum of Modern Art throughout the spring and summer of 2008. On 28 July 2008, the two winning projects for the pavilion were announced: Davide Marchetti Architetto, Italy, for the best professional design and SPF15+, Australia, for the best pre-professional entry.

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