The Arturo’s Amaretti Collection is inspired by my memories of the Italian wholesale cake store I’ve frequented throughout my life, but especially as a child. Every Saturday morning, my mother and I would take a number and stand in the impossible queue, trying to peer into the glass display cabinets through cracks in the crowds. Jostling and heckling was the name of the game, as we all scrambled to get our mitts on "half a kilo of the biscuits". Cash only, of course.
We ate our bounty around my Nonno’s extendable wooden dining table. Everyone in the family would come and eat, sometimes up to thirty of us crammed into the kitchen. In our home, those cherished cakes and biscuits became more than just treats; they symbolised the ties that bound us as a family and the rich tapestry of cultural experiences we embraced. My mother’s family moved to Australia from southern India during the tail end of the White Australia Policy in 1968. They were seemingly the only brown people in the western suburbs of Melbourne for a very long time, but were befriended into a vibrant & thriving European immigrant community.
It was these Saturday afternoons that formed a sense of togetherness and stability in my life, and the memories have become a treasure trove of nostalgia, reminding me of the power of food to connect people, bridge cultures, and create lasting bonds. They are a testament to the enduring spirit of family and the beauty found in the simple pleasures and happenings of life.
Now our character Arturo has his own bustling showroom floor; the air electric with an infectious joy and a shared love for food. Here are our new pieces fresh from the oven, featuring my own photography and illustrations.
We hope you enjoy the collection, as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
💗 Natalie & Gavin xoxox
