Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers put call out for mature-age pasta cooks

An Italian pasta chain is calling for new staff to solve a Covid-19 dilemma – the only catch is you have to be over the age of 65 and preferably a nonna.

Calling all Italian grandmothers: There is a pasta crisis brewing and Brisbane needs you.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers has sounded the alarm, signalling a shortage of experienced cooks to make its namesake dumplings due to a Covid-19-induced lack of international arrivals.

It is urging all nonnas with at least 10 years of gnocchi making under their apron to step up.

They must be willing to work for the award wage of $25.51 an hour, although co-owner Ben Cleary-Corradini said there might be room for negotiation.

“It has been very difficult over the past two years to recruit enough staff,” said Mr Cleary-Corradini, whose Everton Hills factory supplies its four Brisbane stores or gnoccherias.

“So if there is a grey army out there, let it be known that they are welcome to come out of retirement.”

Launching the recruitment drive on social media, Mr Cleary-Corradini said he and business partner Theodor Roduner were targeting women over 65 – “a group often discriminated against because of age” – but they might broaden the search if applicants “made the cut”.

Carmela Monforte at Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers in South Bank. Picture: Adam Head

Grandmother Carmela Monforte, who ran Euro Foods wholesalers with husband Sam before passing the reins to their sons, said making gnocchi took special skill.

“I began cooking gnocchi when I was a little girl with my mother, who’s now 82,” said Mrs Monforte, of Gumdale.

“It is time consuming and quite an art,” said the 58-year-old, who favours pairing the dumplings with tomato, red wine and basil sauce, with a dash of cream.

This is not the first time Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers has used social media to spark a reaction.

In December 2021 after a $30,000 pasta heist, it made a “Liam Neeson in Taken” parody video.

Demanding the thieves turn themselves in, the video said: “If you don’t I will look for you, I will find you, and I will make you wash the dishes at Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers for the rest of your miserable life.”