Business
Pepe Saya
Batch churned, handcrafted cultured butter Since 2009, Pepe Saya and his team have been churning out Australian cultured butter. In that time they have gone from the Carriageworks Farmers Market to shops nationwide; from being served in first class on airlines to being exported across the globe. Their market and their premises may have changed in that time, but Pepe Saya’s commitment to quality and taste has never waivered. “I am inspired by innovation to better the world; I am
Coniston Bakery – Coniston NSW
“When we first bought this shop, I was still teaching in Sydney. Although we have three (Gerringong and Unanderra) shops, I like being part of a small community. I’m from a very small community in Barellan, out in the Riverina, and so really enjoy working with all the different types of people. I think that’s where my skills are; I’m a bit more of a people person whereas Jason is very good at back of house. We’re very happy with
Souvlaki Boys – Marrickville NSW
This very month, June 2025, Souvlaki Boys will celebrate nine years of business. But that’s not all they’re celebrating: they’ve just won the title of Outstanding Specialised Retail Business in the Inner West Local Business Awards. “It was a very humbling experience to win for the fifth time in six years – it’s out of this world!,” says Nick Alepidis. “It’s been an absolute blessing, and it goes out to all the customers and staff who make all of this
Nicholas Vanos, The Deli Erskineville
From a previous life in the corporate world, Nicholas Vanos is now the proprietor of The Deli Erskineville, a family operated establishment that pretty much does what it says on the box: it’s a fine food deli on the main street of quiet but cosmopolitan Erskineville. But working in food wasn’t something Nicholas expected to do. “I was looking for something to feed my soul,” he says. Not that working in food came completely out of left field; Nicholas’s mother
Jackie’s Floral Gallery – Kingsgrove
Jackie has been operating Jackie’s Floral Gallery in Kingsgrove for 13 years, providing flowers for all occasions: weddings, christenings, Valentine’s Day — you name it. Jackie also sells pot plants, giftware, homeware, trinkets and knick-knacks. “I ask people how long they want the flowers to last for, what it’s for, what reason, or if they’d like to have a nice plant. If we’re fair and generous with our flowers, customers will continue to come in,” Jackie says. “My customers become
Moe, Hariri Chicken
From sating the appetites of regular patrons to sponsoring local sporting teams, Moe and the team at Hariri Chicken have very much become an important fixture in the Kogarah community — growing to meet its culinary and social needs. “The community is forever adapting, especially here in Kogarah. You’ve got this entire pool of different ethnicities and people coming and going; with major medical and work hubs nearby, you get to see all walks of life,” Moe says. “It’s funny
Mihalatos & Associates Solicitors – Bexley NSW
Lara Mourad and Vanessa Papadopoulos – Mihalatos & Associates SolicitorsBexley, Sydney Mihalatos & Associates Solicitors was founded by siblings Esmae Mihalatos-Koutsoukis and Spiros Mihalatos. The firm is a well-established legal practice based in Bexley, Sydney, and are a generalist firm practicing in a wide variety of practice areas. Among the talented team at Mihalatos & Associates are solicitors Lara Mourad and Vanessa Papadopoulos. For Lara, becoming a lawyer has been a lifelong ambition which was realised when she completed her
Cimini’s Pasticceria Cafe & Bakery – Kogarah NSW
I married John Cimini, the founder, 30 years ago. The relationship has been very fulfilling; John is doing his calling, definitely. The highs for me [working at Cimini’s] would be serving a premium product, well priced and made with love. When John’s parents migrated 50-odd years ago [from Italy], they brought some recipe books with them and opened their own cake shop in Leichhardt and hand made all of their products with love. That book has been passed down, so
Konstan Jewellers – Dulwich Hill NSW
I’ve been a jeweller since the early days, and whatever I learnt, I learnt on the bench. A good friend of mine, a Czechoslovakian man, taught me everything that I know. And I took it on from there, and did what I did.” “We love making custom-made jewellery; we’ve been here for 22 years and that’s what we pride ourselves in: the making of handmade jewellery for our clientele in Dulwich Hill and surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on the
The Larder Wine and Cheese Bar – Dulwich Hill NSW
I just bought the business six months ago [April 2024] and I’m trying to change it completely. I have wine from Italy, South Africa, Croatia, which I get through my other business as a wine importer, something I started as a hobby. I’m proud of our products because you can’t find them anywhere else, especially the wines from overseas. I wanted to give people the different tastes of the different wine regions. For example, South African wine is peppery, earthy.
Nonna’s Bakery – Wetherill Park NSW
From a village in the mountains of Calabria, Italy, the recipes for the bread made by Nonna’s Bakery have been passed down from generations, and across the ocean, to arrive in modern-day Sydney where they are made to perfection. “Since coming to Australia in the 1950s, we’ve taken those traditions and techniques and used them, first at Vieto Bakery, which my dad’s mum owned with her brothers, and now here,” explains Tony Sergi. “Seeing where this business has come from
Cafe 31 On Macquarie – Parramatta NSW
“I grew up in a family business; my siblings [Pat and Helen] and I coming home from primary school to help my parents. I could see the world through my parents’ eyes; the way they came to this country with just a suitcase. I take my hat off to them. We have it easier than them, and were brought up in a good country.” “I grew up in Penrith and school was pretty good. I was into tennis and squash
Euroespresso – Annandale NSW
From humble beginnings, Marcello Nadile, and wife Vera, have built up a successful business roasting coffee and selling La Pavoni coffee machines. Approaching 40 years in business, the seeds of the Nadiles’ success were planted long before 1986. “One person’s life is not made up of just one thing; it’s what you pick up along the way, what you’ve been taught from your parents. Our parents came from humble beginnings, from Italy, Calabria, in the south, up in the hills.
Naji’s Charcoal Chicken & Kebabs – Arncliffe NSW
Operating since 2002, Naji’s, just across from Arncliffe train station, is as popular as ever. Michael Naji’s emphasis on quality ingredients and cleanliness ensures that customers keep coming back. “Arncliffe is made up of many diverse cultures; Bayside Council is said to have the most diverse population in Sydney. It’s important to provide food that is acceptable to all cultures and tastes,” says Michael. And, as a local councillor re-elected in 2024 council elections, he would know. “Serving the community
Factory Direct Commercial Kitchens – Condell Park
“I began the company in 2017. Before that I was an astrophysicist, and I just tried different fields; I would get bored and move on to the next thing. Before this I was managing a restaurant, but I didn’t like the kitchen. It was not an efficient kitchen.” “When we’re designing a ventilation system for a client, we look at what equipment they use for cooking and how much smoke it creates. Our goal is to provide a ventilation system
Frank’s Pitstop Motors – Summer Hill
“My business partner, Tony, and I work together to make each car work better. We give clients a list of what’s wrong with their car and then ask what they want fixed. They tell us and we fix it and bring it up to scratch. We try and leave it better than it was when it came in. Being able to resurrect the car and watch it drive away is what gives me satisfaction. Not the money; the satisfaction in