Food as a Universal Language: The Italian Spirit in the Heart of Australia

For HEDONIST magazine, they spoke about preserving the spirit of Italy far from home, how Australia has shaped their journey, and why they believe food is a universal language.

The Spirit of Italy Is More Than a Recipe

For Dora and Vito, preserving Italian identity is not just about using the right ingredients or following traditional techniques - it is about maintaining a particular attitude toward food.

“For us, preserving the spirit of Italy means preserving our approach to food - respect, patience, and honesty. We don’t make pizza just for customers; we make it for people. In Italy, food is never just fuel; it's a way of life. It is memory, family, and a way of telling someone, ‘you matter.’”

Even thousands of kilometers from home, Basile Pizzeria nurtures this philosophy through slow fermentation, simple toppings, and a perfect balance of flavors - without excess.

Our focus is on balance, not abundance. That is what truly carries the Italian spirit.

Australia - Inspiration Without Borders

Australia, they say, is the perfect stage for culinary creativity. Its multicultural environment has allowed them to preserve tradition while enriching it with new ideas.

“Australia is truly multicultural, and that diversity is one of the most beautiful parts of our journey. When people hear that our pizza is made by an Italian and rooted in Italian tradition, they immediately expect authenticity - and they’re excited to try it.”

In a country where cuisines from all over the world converge, locals especially appreciate it when someone prepares food from their own culture.

“People feel like they are tasting a country without traveling.”

At the same time, that diversity has reshaped their own perspective on pizza.

“In Italy, we would probably stay much closer to traditional boundaries. Here, we started experimenting with combinations we would never have imagined back home. My partner is Korean, so we explored how Korean flavors could work on pizza, as well as ideas inspired by Australian breakfast culture,” Vito explains.

Still, the foundation remains unchanged - traditional Italian dough and technique.

Food as a Universal Language

At Basile Pizzeria, people from different parts of the world gather every day, and Dora and Vito see special value in that.

Simplicity leaves space for true flavor

“We strongly believe that food can be a universal language. You don’t have to speak the same words to understand care, generosity, and authenticity.”

Around their tables, guests from diverse cultures connect over a slice of pizza.

“Those moments remind us why food matters. It creates a space where people feel relaxed, present, and connected - even when they come from completely different worlds.”

Timeless Values in a World of Trends

In an era of speed and surface-level novelty, Dora and Vito believe audiences are still searching for something real.

“We live in a world that is constantly changing, but that’s exactly why simplicity and authenticity carry even more power. Italian cuisine has always been based on a few ingredients treated with respect.”

When something is made with care, they add, people can feel it.

“Simplicity leaves space for true flavor, and authenticity builds trust. People aren’t just looking for something new - they’re looking for something real. That’s why the timeless values of Italian food still resonate with modern audiences.”

Basile - More Than a Pizzeria

Dora and Vito’s story shows that pizza can be much more than a dish - it can be a meeting point of cultures, emotions, and memories. In the heart of Australia, Basile Pizzeria preserves the spirit of Italy while shaping it into something contemporary, open, and warm.

For HEDONIST magazine, this is a reminder that hedonism lies not only in taste, but in the story behind every bite.

• Written by Anđelka Marković