My Culinary Story

On this page you will find information about my career and educational background as well as my story of growing up with food and cooking.

Career & Education in the hospitality industry

Imagine Education

Australia

I have obtained a comprehensive education in hospitality management comprising of Certificates III & IV +

Diploma of Hospitality Management that equipping me

with diverse skills to excel in the dynamic and fast-paced hospitality industry.

Career


  • Pizza Chef
    Guido's Grani Aug 2023 - on going
    Helsinki Metropolitan Area
  • Chef & Pizza Business Developer
    Flavour Ventures Oy · Full-time
    Jul 2021 to Jun 2023
    Helsinki Metropolitan Area
  • Cook
    Lucy in The Sky Oct 2020 to Jun 2021
    Helsinki Metropolitan Area
  • Head Chef
    Pizzeria Violetta Jul 2019 - Jul 2020
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Pizza Chef
    Ristorante Beccofino
    Feb 2019 to Jul 2019
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Sous Chef
    Pomodoro Restaurant Aug 2018 - Jan 2019
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Company Owner of a small pizzeria
    Pizza Scic di Antonio Leone & C.
    Jul 2009 - Dec 2015
    Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Diploma of Hospitality Management Nov 2019 - May 2020

I have gratueted with a Diploma of Hospitality Management, giving me a wide range of skills to succeed in the hospitality industry.


My training included improving customer service, handling conflicts, managing finances, understanding legal requirements, and leading teams.


I am skilled in scheduling staff, recruiting, and creating a positive work environment.


I am experienced in managing daily operations, building business relationships, and ensuring workplace health and safety. I also have expertise in planning events and giving expert advice.


With a strong commitment to excellence, I am dedicated to helping any hospitality business grow and succeed.

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management - Nov 2019 - May 2020

I completed Certificate IV in Kitchen Management at Imagine Education.


This program taught me all about running a commercial kitchen, from food safety and kitchen operations to leadership and international cooking styles.


During the course, I got hands-on experience in Imagine Education's modern kitchens, learning from experienced chefs. This practical training improved my cooking skills and prepared me to manage a kitchen effectively.


After finishing the program, I felt confident to work as a chef, cook, sous chef, or kitchen manager in the hospitality industry. The flexible program allowed me to complete internships where I gained more practical knowledge to complement the theoretical aspects of my studies.


Overall, this certificate gave me a strong foundation in culinary arts and management, setting me up for success in this exciting field.

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery - Jun 2018 - Oct 2019

I completed Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Imagine Education Australia. This course equipped me with everything I need to excel as a skilled cook in the hospitality industry.


I've mastered essential commercial cookery skills—from knife techniques and food safety to preparing complex dishes like stocks, sauces, and soups. Beyond cooking, I've learned to understand ingredients, refine techniques, and present dishes beautifully.


What makes this course stand out is its hands-on approach. I've gained invaluable experience in real kitchen settings, learning teamwork, managing kitchen dynamics, and maintaining high hygiene standards. Exploring diverse cuisines has fueled my creativity in menu planning and dish presentation.


Working alongside experienced chefs has been invaluable. Their mentorship has allowed me to apply my skills in practical scenarios, whether preparing seafood, meats, or desserts. I'm eager to bring my passion for food to any setting, creating memorable culinary experiences for every occasion.

Career & Education as a carpenter & furniture maker

Centro Salesiano

D. Bosco

Centro Salesiano Don Bosco

Arese - Milan, Italy


The training course at the Salesian Center in Arese in the furniture sector is designed to provide both practical and theoretical preparation in woodwork and furniture production. This training center, located in Arese, is part of the Don Bosco Salesian network, known for offering quality technical and professional education across various sectors, including woodworking and furniture making.

Career

Work experience at

Legno Arredo Snc Di Vitarelli Roberto

01.10.1999 to 22.02.2002


Apprentice worker in charge of furniture processing.

Certificate as a Carpenter & Furniture Maker 1997-1999

The program is aimed at young people and adults who want to acquire hands-on skills, such as cutting, finishing, assembling, and installing furniture, and includes the use of machinery and tools specific to the industry. Some of the main objectives of the course are:


  • Development of Technical Skills: Learning woodworking techniques, such as planing, painting, and sanding, as well as understanding different types of wood and materials.
  • Use of Modern Machinery: Students learn to work with advanced machinery like circular saws, milling machines, planers, and other professional tools.
  • Design and Innovation: The approach also includes basics of design for creating aesthetically pleasing furniture, combining tradition and innovation.
  • Safety Training: A strong emphasis is placed on workplace safety, which is crucial when working with heavy machinery and potentially hazardous materials.

Post-Course Opportunities

Participants acquire skills that are immediately valuable in the job market, with the possibility of joining carpentry shops, furniture manufacturing companies, or working as independent artisans. The Salesian Center in Arese also has a network of industry contacts that can help graduates find professional opportunities.


Added Value of the Course

In addition to technical skills, the Salesian course emphasizes personal growth, with a strong focus on ethical and professional values, essential for building a successful career in the furniture sector.

What are the skills of the educational program I attended?

Woodworking Techniques:

In-depth study of cutting techniques, planing,

turning, carving and assembling wood.


Design and Technical Drawing:

Acquisition of furniture drawing and design skills, using CAD software and traditional techniques.


Use of Tools and Machinery:

Training in the safe and efficient use of woodworking machinery, including circular saws, planers, sanders and lathes.


Finishing Techniques:

Learning painting, polishing and other surface finishing techniques to give furniture a professional appearance.


Furniture Restoration:

Restoration techniques for antique and valuable furniture, to recover and enhance historical pieces.



Download my CV 🗁

My Story

Hi there,

I am Antonio, and people also call me Tony and this is my story...


From a young age, I was always attracted to manual work, so I studied furniture making at a vocational school in Arese, Milan, in 1997.


After completing my studies, I found a job at a small artisan furniture company.


Living alone, I knew my salary wasn't enough, so I took a secondary job as a delivery driver for Pizzeria Chic.

I asked the owners, Antonino and Barbara, who ran the family business with their children Francesco, Walter, and Silvia, to teach me the basics so I could one day open my own pizzeria. In 2009, after various experiences in different restaurants and pizzerias, I decided to open my own pizzeria at the age of 26, in the suburbs of Milan, called Pizza SCIC.


Six years later, after gaining significant experience, I decided it was time for a change. I sold my pizzeria and moved to Australia to pursue my dreams. I realized that simply being a business owner wasn't enough without proper education in the field.


I arrived in Australia in March 2016 with clear goals: to attend an intensive general English course to access more advanced future courses.


After overcoming this first obstacle, I decided to continue my studies to enhance my skills and obtain a Diploma as a chef in the hospitality in Australia. However, as soon as I finished my studies, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. My wife and I had to leave Australia and return to Finland, thinking it was the right choice given the circumstances.

We arrived in Finland in July 2020, leaving behind dreams and careers. I immediately noticed a difference in the hospitality industry and the lack of opportunities. The expectations were quite different from what I had anticipated.


Finding a job in the hospitality sector was challenging, and the few opportunities offered by restaurants were rare. Speaking Finnish was crucial, making it much more difficult.


So, I decided to invest my free time in digital marketing while staying at home. Despite finding work in various restaurants, I understood how important this was for me and my career.

I consider myself a innovative person, I appreciate what I receive, and above all, I love to challenge myself.



Thank you for reading my story.

This is my digital calendar.

Just book a time that suits you.

This is

my digital calendar.

Just book

a time
that suits you.

loading..


The entirety of this site is protected by copyright © 2024 gourmetleone.com

Made with ❤️ by me using 👉 systeme.io

Powered by