Like so many Melbournians, we are the daughters of Italian and Greek immigrant parents, coming from a family of “contadini” (farmers) who lived and worked off the land. During our childhood there was never a great deal of money, but being constantly surrounded by family, love and LOTS of food made up for that. The inspiration for Ms Frankie comes from the Italian side of our partnership, heavily based on Melinda’s experiences and heritage.

The parents of Ms. Frankie co-founder Melinda migrated from Calabria in the South of Italy in 1976. In search of a new life, Mamma Vincenza still brought with her a lifetime of family recipes and traditions. To this day, she continues to bake her own bread in the garage of the family home, a very #WogLife tradition. Cooking only takes place in the garage – keeping the kitchen nice and clean for any “visiti” (visitors).

For us, Vincenza’s garage is more than just a kitchen, it tells a story, with the aroma of whatever is simmering or baking away that particular day transporting our senses to memories of our youth or special family memories. Magic happens in that garage all year round, whether it is traditional Calabrese sweets to savoury family recipes. The magic that occurs in that garage is simple but amazing, and the secret ingredient is that it is made with so much love.