Rosmarino and Etna: Crafting experiences by hand

Since their doors first opened, Rosmarino and its sister pizzeria, Etna have quickly woven themselves into the fabric of the vibrant Fortitude Valley. We visited owners Lauren Smith and Andrea Gatti to learn how SilverChef helped them turn their hospitality dreams into reality.

The hospitality dream

The seed for Rosmarino was planted during an extraordinary period of reflection and rediscovery. After lockdown, Andrea and Lauren retreated to Lauren's family property in Beaudesert for three transformative months. Amid building vegetable gardens and cooking over open flames, they found themselves reflecting deeply on their lives and future paths. Quickly realising that returning to a "normal" lifestyle was no longer feasible; a new dream began to take root.

In August 2020, a pivotal conversation with Lauren's mum reignited her belief that hospitality was the world's most rewarding career. As they talked, the vision for Rosmarino began to take shape – a restaurant where guests could feel truly at home. However, as they delved into the planning, the complexities of financing and logistics loomed large.

"We started with absolutely nothing – we wouldn't have been able to open without SilverChef.”

SilverChef hospitality equipment funding

Opening a hospitality venue is an expensive endeavour, commonly accompanied by financial balancing acts that can delay the big day (especially for those beginning their journey during the uncertainty of a global pandemic). Rosmarino needed a significant array of kitchen equipment, from pasta makers and refrigerators to high-quality ovens.

Enter SilverChef's Rent-Try-Buy solution. The added flexibility allowed them to upgrade or change equipment easily, adapting to their changing needs. They were able to seamlessly upgrade an underutilised bread oven to a stunning pizza oven, which soon became a feature in their brand new pizzeria. SilverChef's efficient, online process and manageable weekly payments made equipping their restaurants straightforward and stress-free, significantly contributing to their success from day one.

“It is amazing to be able to live out your dreams. It is the best feeling in the world. Don't try and do it on your own. 100% go to SilverChef.”

What’s ahead

After months of meticulous preparation, the opening day at Rosmarino was a whirlwind of excitement and nerves. Seeing customers walk in and savour the atmosphere and cuisine they had so lovingly crafted was profoundly fulfilling for Lauren and Andrea.

After months of continued success with Rosmarino, Lauren and Andrea decided to expand their culinary footprint with an exciting second venue.

Sticking to their Italian roots, they opened Etna, a cosy pizzeria seating 45 guests. Inspired by the boundary-pushing pizzerias of Italy, this expansion felt like a natural progression following Rosmarino's triumphant first year. Thankfully, SilverChef was there once again to support their vision.

Superior equipment funding by SilverChef enabled Lauren and Andrea to build not just one, but two dream establishments, continuing to inspire the Brisbane dining landscape with their passion-fuelled Italian cuisine.

Watch the full story of Lauren and Andrea's journey creating Rosmarino and Etna in the video above.

Interested in how SilverChef can help you achieve your hospitality dream? Find out more here, and get in touch today.