Steven Trigg among a group of investors to take over historic Adelaide restaurant La Trattoria
The group of prominant local businesspeople taking over one of Adelaide’s favourite restaurants, La Trattoria, say it’s not going to change “one iota”.
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A group of prominent local businesspeople including former Adelaide Crows boss Steven Trigg has agreed to take over iconic Adelaide restaurant La Trattoria.
The restaurant’s sale will bring to an end close to 50 years of ownership by the Parisi brothers, Andy and Chris, who opened the King William St institution in 1975.
Liquor licensing documents reveal Five Stooges Pty Ltd has applied for a transfer of the restaurant and catering licence, with the application expected to be approved on July 1.
Shareholders in Five Stooges Pty Ltd include Mr Trigg, pioneering winemaker and Penny’s Hill Wines founder Tony Parkinson and La Trattoria’s affable front of house Billy Duff who has spent 20 years working at the venue.
Mr Trigg currently heads up Warren Randall’s Randall Wine Group, which owns Barossa Valley wine giant Seppeltsfield.
Earlier this year Seppeltsfield acquired McLaren Vale’s Penny’s Hill Wines as part of a new strategy developed to counter the collapse in Chinese exports.
Tony Parkinson and wife Susie established the Penny’s Hill brand - known for its distinctive “red dot” packaging - in 1988, and it went on to become one of the region’s major producers.
Mr Trigg and Mr Parkinson have been contacted for comment about their purchase of La Trattoria.
Andy Parisi, the man who two decades ago was crowned the world’s best pizza maker, will complete his final shift at La Trattoria next Friday after 47 years.
The restaurant has remained a favourite for locals and visitors since it opened in the 1970s, including a long list of celebrities who have dropped in during their visits to the city.
Mick Jagger, George Harrison, Tom Jones, Sir Cliff Richard and Michael Hutchence are among them, so too Steve Waugh, Kevin Sheedy and Andre Agassi.
Very little has changed at La Trattoria over the decades, and loyal diners will be pleased to hear the new owners are planning to keep things as they always have been.
“The menu, the decorations, the seating, the atmosphere – it’s not going to change one iota,” Mr Duff said.
“Yes, it’s been sold but it’s been sold to me and most people who’ve been to La Trat know me.
“Andy and Chris have worked so hard to build this legacy and we’re not about to change that.”
Mr Trigg joined Randall Wine Group in 2018 after 25 years at the helm of the Adelaide Crows and Carlton AFL football clubs.
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