ABOUT US
For the good things in life
Welcome to LaManna, where flavours, aromas, and memorable moments come together to ignite joy within you. LaManna believe that food is more than just sustenance, it’s a treasure trove of culture, tradition, and innovation, all waiting to be discovered. LaManna opens the door to a culinary world. Handpicked global selections invite you to embark on kitchen adventures, igniting imagination, fuelling culinary dreams, and empowering your inner chef.
LaManna recognises every customer as part of the extended family, and family values are intertwined with the joy of gathering around food. LaManna doesn’t merely offer products, it presents a journey through a world of flavours and discovery that culminates in the creation of culinary masterpieces.
LaManna is more than a place, it’s a celebration of food’s power to unite and elevate. Join us on a journey of taste, knowledge, and togetherness. We’re your guides to life’s culinary pleasures, embracing “the good things in life.”
Our Values
At LaManna, old fashioned family values underpin everything we do. Food is about more than just nourishment. To us, it’s about bringing you closer to family and friends, creating experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime.
As trends in food, business and culture change, our values remain steadfast. Family matters beyond all else, as does our desire to inspire people’s passion for food, their own family and friends. We take immense pride in delivering the best things in life to our customers and the community.
LaManna returns to Brunswick
In 1953, our Nonno Pasquale LaManna opened the first of ten fruit shops he owned and operated across Melbourne. With the last one being in 1988, called LaManna Fresh, within a few years, he decided it was time to shift the focus elsewhere and find someone he could trust to run the fruit shop.
Along came Joe Patti and his family. Joe had previously run stores in St Kilda & Malvern, and Nonno had faith that the Patti family could continue the store with our family name to remain, ensuring the same values and quality that we had provided the locals. Nonno’s vision was to keep the name going as LaManna Fresh, as one day, the LaManna family may want to run it again.
From Saturday, April 27th, 2024, Nonno’s vision came to fruition, as the LaManna family will once again own and operate LaManna Fresh at 403-407 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, with Joe retiring after over 30 years in the store.
It’s a full-circle moment for LaManna, something that Nonno would have been very proud of, and we are very excited to be allowed to serve the community of Brunswick again.
The LaManna Difference
Meet the Team
LAI Le
Head Chef, Cafe
Lai Le is our talented Head Chef in our Café department. He ensures that his team are ready for the day with their preparation and café service.
Ralph Caparello
Purchasing Manager, Fruit & Veg
Ralph Caparello is a very committed, passionate and proud worker at LaManna. He ensures that the fruit and vegetables he purchases for the store is at it’s highest quality and our customers receive only the best.
Lianna Panzarino
People & Culture Coordinator & EA to CEO
Lianna plays a pivotal role, supporting both business and floor operations with her valuable knowledge. As the primary contact in People & Culture, she ensures seamless onboarding for all team members at LaManna. Her adeptness in daily operations frees up our CEO to focus on strategic initiatives, driving LaManna towards its best potential.
Mel Musu
Delicatessen | Purchasing Manager
Mel Musu has a wealth of knowledge in the food industry and showcases his love for cheese as our Purchasing Manager for our Deli department. He oversees purchasing.
Michael Pataki
Purchasing Manager, Seafood
Michael Pataki has over 20 years’ experience in the seafood industry. Sourcing only Australian produce he provides some of the freshest and delicious seafood.
Jason Shiong
Chief of Food & Beverage
Jason Shiong has an abundance of knowledge in the food and beverage industry. Jason is responsible for overseeing our food and beverage departments and also continuously working on new lines and products for our store.
Daniel Turner
Manufacturing Site Manager
Daniel Turner showcases his expertise as Site Manager of our manufacturing facility where all of our LaManna ready-made meals are made. He supports our various departments in both sweet and savoury to ensure all your favourite meals can be purchased from the store.
Robert Barbuto
Department Manager, Liquor & Grocery
Robert Barbuto is the reason you can get your hands on your favourite bottles of wines/spirits/beers and so much more. Sourcing the best from not only from around Australia but also around the world.
Laura Bucci
Head Chef, Patisserie
Laura Bucci brings her expertise to our Patisserie department, managing her team and ensuring that customers are able to purchase their favourite desserts on a daily basis.
Our causes
Family is everything to us. And we view our community as an extension of ours. So we’re humbled and proud to help groups who need it. We actively support Loud Shirt Day, Good Friday Appeal, Challenge – Supporting Kids with Cancer and Helping Hands Mission
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Sustainability
Everyone deserves a chance to enjoy the good things in life. It’s why rather than waste excess food, we donate it to Moira Kelly. Moira Kelly provides comfort, hope and protection to children and families that need it most. She is known for assisting children in Australia that suffer from serious health problems that local doctors are unable to treat. We support Moira with any perishable and non-perishable goods to donate to children and their families who need it most.
VISIT NOW
Essendon Fields
10 English Street essendon fields
Brunswick
403 – 407 Sydney Road BRUNSWICK
Drooling? You’re not alone. Why not come in and experience LaManna with all five of your senses? Because if you think if what you see is delectable. Just wait until your smell and tastebuds kick in. Bellissimo!
