Australia is in the midst of a love affair with Italia. And it’s not hard to see why, considering the country is the home of pizza, pasta and a certain penchant for la dolce vita, which makes the Mediterranean nation and its residents somewhat expert when it comes to the art of entertaining.

There may be no one better to dole out advice on entertaining Italian-style than Giovanni Pilu. The Sardinian-born chef may now call Australia home but his passion for his home country shows no end in sight. The heart of entertaining lies for Giovanni at the kitchen table – sharing fare with loved ones. “I grew up in a family where entertaining was all about sharing lots of food, and this is how I love to entertain now. Simple dishes like whole fish, seafood, steaks or roasts and salads – beautifully presented in large platters for everyone,” he explains.

But no great artist is without his tools. And, appropriately, Giovanni relies on a reputable Italian brand to bring his entertaining goals to fruition. He has long been a fan of the ILVE brand. “I love all things made in Italy,” he admits. “ILVE represents Italy to a T – it’s robust, made with attention to detail, sophisticated and beautifully designed.” It’s a brand with a strong reputation for its ability to perform. “It has a reputation for being amongst the best Italian brands in kitchen cookware; it’s a family run business just like ours, and I identified with their business values,” says Giovanni.

It’s a brand that is not just a pretty face. “ILVE pride themselves on handmade craftsmanship; their products are not only aesthetically appealing but highly functional,” explains Giovanni of his love for the brand. The range is also extensive enough to help the Pilu’s cater to any kind of entertaining occasion. “The range is extensive – from cookers to ovens to dishwashers and coffee machines and wine fridges – every facet of entertaining is covered with beautiful, easy to use products,” he says.

And while Giovanni may be as Italian as they come, his new home down under evidently has started to influence his cooking. As for Giovanni’s favourite appliance from the range, it’s the brand’s uniquely styled Nostalgie Freestanding Series that sits close to his heart and in his kitchen. It’s an easy option for barbecuing; “[it’s so] versatile,” says Giovanni. “[It] comes in a range of beautiful colours and finishes and I love that you can incorporate the teppanyaki plate, it’s like having a barbecue inside.”

This post was brought to you by ILVE.