The evening’s warm and elegant atmosphere paid homage to Italy’s culinary heritage with a carefully curated menu, while a series of institutional remarks underlined the cultural significance of the occasion.
The dinner welcomed an impressive group of guests. Among the dignitaries were Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training; and John-Paul Langbroek, Minister for Education and the Arts.
Also present were Fiona Simpson, Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Grace Grace, Shadow Minister for Trade, Industrial Relations, the Olympics/Paralympics and Racing; and Charis Mullen, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
Several prominent figures from the judiciary were in attendance as well, including Ray and Margaret Rinaudo, Nathan Jarro, Sal Vasta, Deb Vasta, Amanda Mansini, and Michael and Ann Baumann.
Adding to the significance of the evening was the presence of respected members of the Italian community: Italy’s Consul in Brisbane, Luna Angelini Marinucci; Allan Pidgeon, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Queensland; Rosie Vecchio, President of both Com.It.Es and the Sicilian Association; as well as Giovanni Antonaglia, Gilberto Maggiolo and John Kotzas.
The religious community was represented by Father Paul Mahoney and Father Mauro Conte.
During the evening, Chapter Delegate Commander Santo Santoro reflected on the mission of the Academy, founded by Orio Vergani in 1953 to safeguard the culture of the Italian table and promote its authenticity around the world.
“Cuisine is memory, innovation and identity—a heritage to protect and share,” he said.
The Brisbane Chapter continues this work in collaboration with restaurateurs, producers and Italian community organisations throughout Queensland, promoting the culinary traditions that form part of Italy’s cultural identity.
A special tribute was dedicated to Armando Percuoco, one of the leading figures in Italian fine dining in Australia. At Santoro’s request, Armando’s words were included in the evening’s official notes, acknowledging that “the menu was designed by Armando, a celebrated chef and Tony’s brother, and that the details of his distinguished career, printed in the tasting notes, deserve proper recognition.”
Santoro explained that Tony Percuoco wished to dedicate the dinner to his brother, “to honour him and acknowledge the profound influence Armando had on his training and career.”
The Percuoco family’s menu offered a culinary journey that blended family heritage with contemporary flair: from the fried baccalà and vegetables of the antipasto to the risotto al salto—a nod to sustainability and creativity—followed by monkfish wrapped in pancetta with truffle and a reimagined tiramisù.
Each dish was crafted to reflect the three central themes of the 2025 Week of Italian Cuisine: health, Italian rice and innovation.
The official tasting notes highlighted how the Percuoco philosophy, born in Naples and refined in Australia, continues to strike a balance between tradition and modernity.
In his remarks, Santoro expressed his gratitude to the Percuoco brothers “for the wonderful and inventive menu created for the Academy’s annual dinner”, noting that the culinary experience fully embodied the theme of this year’s worldwide celebration.
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the tribute to Antonio (Tony) Bosso, who was awarded the honour of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia.
Santoro noted that the recognition represents a major milestone.
“I am particularly pleased that this dinner provided the solemn occasion to acknowledge Tony’s outstanding contribution through the conferral of the title of Cavaliere of the Italian Republic,” he said.
Santoro emphasised the importance of this investiture taking place “in the presence of all Brisbane Chapter, gathered together after dinner for the first time in the delegation’s history”—a symbolically powerful moment for the community.
The evening concluded with a strong sense of pride, belonging and mutual appreciation. The Annual Dinner 2025 reaffirmed that Italian cuisine, with its stories, rituals and power to bring people together, remains an extraordinary cultural force.
Even in Australia, it continues to act as a bridge between generations, a shared heritage and a vivid expression of the richness of Italian identity worldwide.
