Maurizio Barrottu - Restaurant Manager

Maurizio was born in Sassari, Italy in 1966. He graduated successfully from the Istituto Professionale Italiano Alberghiero e Per Il Turismo in 1985 (The Italian Institute For Tourism and Hospitality) Restaurant and Bar Management.

Maurizio became member of A.I.B.E.S. after passing all the admission exams - Italian Association of Professional Barmen (member of the International Barmen Association.)
He participated in Regional, National and International cocktail competitions and won several of them with mention in Italian newspaper and magazines.

Maurizio also participated in A.I.S. (Italian Association of Sommeliers) courses of Viticulture, wine tasting and appreciation, and passed related exams thus obtaining the certificate.

Following in the family tradition of `Ristoratori`, Maurizio began his career in hospitality very young developed a passion for food, beverage and dining.

Maurizio grew up surrounded by culinary masters and from an early age was always seated next to the Chefs (by trade) of the family at the dining table when catching up during family meetings and listening to their fascinating conversations about cuisine and Restaurants, Maurizio decided he would begin his career as a Chef.

Maurizio did not waste any time, and against his mothers wishes, started training at the earliest legal working age of 15 years. His mother wisely suggested he had fun and just enjoy the summer school holiday, instead, he spent 3 months of his school holiday working as kitchen hand in a renowned Tuscan Restaurant in Porto Cervo (Costa Smeralda).

His time in the restaurant kitchen was a terrific, eye opening experience, and Maurizio soon realized that in spite of his love for creative cooking, a Restaurant kitchen was a space that limited his enthusiasm for public relations and personal customer service.

In 1982 Maurizio enrolled in the Italian Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Management attending classes Monday to Saturday nine months every year, for three years. The three months of summer school holidays were spent working in Sardinian Resort Restaurants to add professional experience to the school theory.

Once graduated, Maurizio spread his wings and worked in different Hotels, Restaurants and Bars in the renowned and prestigious Costa Smeralda (Sardinia). Not only did this help Maurizio accumulate experience, it developed his knowledge of the different styles of operations, as had been advised by his hospitality teachers and mentors.

Maurizio has been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the most experienced and influential Maitres d`Hotels and Restaurateurs operating in Costa Smeralda such as; Pietro Porcu, Sergio Tinelli, Domizio Germiniasi and Rita Denza from whom learned the “tricks of the trade”.

In 1992 he started his own businesses in Marina di Sa Petra (Portisco) and ran them successfully for four years.

In February 1997 Maurizio moved to Australia looking for business opportunities and with the intent of accumulating more experience and knowledge in another country.

After a long break taken enjoying a beautiful Australian holiday while contemplating his future, Maurizio met a lovely and beautiful Australian companion who made him father.

That was it.

He made Australia home and worked in various Italian Fine Dining Restaurants with the intent to develop an understanding of Australian culture, and again, experience the different facets of the local hospitality industry.

To date Maurizio has been Successfully Managing Scusami Restaurant for five years and regularly travels to Italy not only to visit his family, but also to draw inspiration and get new ideas from the ever-evolving Italian gastronomy.

He found in Jonathan Alston (Executive Chef) an excellent partner to work together with the sole purpose of delivering Scusami’s guests an authentic and memorable Italian Fine Dining experience.

“This is our promise to anyone who visits Scusami and put himself in our hands: your expectations will be satisfied.
Maurizio Barrottu”