Born and raised in a 200-person village in Sicily, Paolo Castriciano spent his childhood in the farm, growing fresh produce, making tomato sauce, fresh olive oil, red wine, and much more with his grandparents. This, he attests, was his culinary education – one that’s served him well into adulthood.


For Paolo, cooking Italian food is about maintaining a connection to a particular time (his childhood) and place (his Grandfather’s house). “When I cook, I feel like I never left home,” he says. “When I bring the flavours and smells to my kitchen, I feel like my Grandmother is beside me.”


Invariably crucial to his efforts is a generous dose of two things. The first: good-quality of food.

Secondly, it’s all about the love. “When you’re cooking Italian food, you must cook with passion and love,” he says. “You have to put your own twist on things, but the old way and the tradition is something you learn from the beginning, and you should never lose sight of that. It’s been passed on from father to son and then on again, so keep the tradition alive within your family. That’s what you have to do.”

Paolo’s journey from a humble home cook to a celebrated culinary star is a story that has captivated many, particularly when it was showcased on SBS Australia. His passion for cooking, combined with an unwavering commitment to authenticity and innovation, earned him a spot on the big screen alongside some of Australia’s food giants: Dan Hong, Mark Olive, and Melissa Leong.

Paolo's love for cooking began in his grandmother's kitchen, where he spent countless hours learning the art of traditional recipes. His early experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for the complexities of flavor and the joy of sharing a meal with others. As he honed his skills, Paolo developed a unique cooking style that blends classic techniques with modern twists, reflecting his diverse culinary influences.

Sbs Australia

About our Pizzaiolo

Chef cooking in a kitchen with steam rising from pots on a stove, wearing a red shirt and white apron, focused on the task.
Two elderly women preparing tomatoes outdoors, one slicing and one holding a tomato, near a table with bowls of chopped tomatoes.
Three people in a kitchen preparing food, two smiling at the camera. Elderly woman in apron breading something, man wearing gloves beside her. Large mixing bowl and baking trays visible. Industrial fridge in the background.
Person holding a pepperoni pizza in front of a mobile pizza oven.
Three people sitting at a table with plates of food, smiling, wearing stylish clothing.
Group of chefs standing in a kitchen, wearing aprons, standing side by side, posed for a photo, with a blurred kitchen background and overhead lights.
Person holding green olives from an olive tree
Four people wearing white aprons, posing together in a kitchen setting.
A group of people preparing homemade tomato sauce in a backyard setting, surrounded by bowls of tomatoes, bottles, and kitchen utensils.
Three people making tomato sauce outdoors using a manual sauce maker at a table with a large pot and a yellow bowl.
Person cooking outdoors in a large pot on a mosaic-tiled surface, surrounded by potted plants and trees, wearing a white shirt and blue apron.
Two elderly women preparing tomatoes outdoors, one cutting and another holding a peeled tomato, with bowls full of chopped tomatoes on a table. A crate of whole tomatoes and various plants in the background.
A person holding green olives on a branch from an olive tree, with a background of hills and clear blue sky.
Man picking olives from a tree in a hilly landscape under a blue sky.
Man examining an olive tree in a lush hilly landscape.
Hands holding olive branches with green olives, set against a hillside background with vegetation.