City Awards: Adelaide baker, face behind Abbots and Kinney looking for sweet success
WHAT you might not know about the award-winner baker behind the city sensation, Abbots and Kinney.
BAKER Jonny Pisanelli first dabbled in the idea of swapping soccer balls for sfogliatelle when he was chasing his dream of becoming a sportsman in Italy a decade ago.
While on his working holiday he visited his family in a small village called Appollosa, in Campania, where he saw his aunty making the traditional Italian pastry.
Injury and bad timing put the brakes on his soccer career and he decided to put what she taught him into practice in a TAFE course
“I was selling pastries on the side of the road in Leigh St once a week … and I wanted to sell my pastries more than that,” Mr Pisanelli, 29, says.
“I wanted to sell coffee too.”
About two years ago, he opened Abbots and Kinney, on Pirie St, as a brick and mortar business and stocks his pastries in other coffee shops around Adelaide.
His efforts were recognised with a City Award last year and he will go for his second in 2017.
Now in its third year, the City Awards, sponsored by the Adelaide City Council, celebrate what makes the CBD tick.
“It was a bit of a shock to receive the award, but a real humbling feeling,” Mr Pisanelli says.
“There were probably plenty of other people worthy of that award, so it is quite nice to be rewarded for your and your staff’s efforts.”
Nominations are now open in 16 categories, spanning favourites from last year’s awards such as best small bar and best new restaurant.
Businesses have almost a month to nominate in the open categories, which close on Friday, May 19, before the awards are opened up to a public vote.
Winners will then be selected based on a public vote and the scrutiny of a panel of expert judges before being acknowledged with their award at a ceremony in July.
So, if you’re a city business or work, study or play in the CBD or North Adelaide, now is your time to speak up and submit a nomination.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, July 10.
Nominations can be made at: advertiser.com.au/cityawards