Passion has paid off for Stefano Marvello.
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His business, Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello took home gold at the NSW Tourism Awards for new tourism business.
Stefano opened his cooking experience business in March 2020 as a side hustle, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and he didn't think he would walk away with gold.
"I was shocked," he said.
"We went there not knowing how many people were nominated in the category, and when I saw there were five, I told my partner we would at least get bronze," he said.
"They called bronze, and it wasn't us, and then silver. I had tuned out because I didn't think we would win.
"I heard 'Italian', and then I was jumping up and down, and my partner was jumping up and down."
"I couldn't believe it.
"We were overwhelmed to win the award."
Even if Stefano hadn't walked away with the gold, the self-taught cook said he was happy to have been nominated and recognised by the industry.
"We were thrilled just to be in the same room as some of the tourism operators we've admired for years," he said.
"Being a nerdy cooking school and not a funky attraction or bespoke accommodation, we didn't think we had a chance of placing, so we were surprised and delighted to win gold.
"The judges said it was unanimous, usually there's a bit of argie bargie.
"The support from the Southern Highlands community has been amazing. We've been welcomed and embraced."
Stefano and his partner Yianni will head to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to represent NSW on March 17, 2023, in the new tourism business category.
The Italian Cooking Experience is located in Bowral.
You can find out why Italian Cooking Experience with Stefano Marvello won gold at the NSW Tourism Awards and book in for a class at his website https://www.stefanomarvello.com/.
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
