Smitten with Albury during their travels, the couple returned to open a fresh pasta bar, Oppy’s Pasta, in Dean Street during May 2015.

Having settled in Sydney in the late 1990s, Israeli-born Tahan said Albury had immediate appeal.

“We passed through Albury on the way from Sydney to Melbourne and it had a very good vibe,” Tahan said.

“Albury has nice people, good weather and it’s central.”

Having trained in food service and then as an executive chef in Israel, Tahan moved to Sydney in 1997 to pursue his culinary dreams.

He worked at Sydney Airport, North Ryde and Lightning Ridge before he invested in a pasta maker about two years ago and started looking for a place in which to open his own restaurant with Thai-born partner, Oppy. The couple have two sons, aged 4 and 3 months.

Tahan said Italian cuisine and fresh pasta appealed to his food philosophy.

“It’s simple and tasty and the end result comes from the heart,” he said.

“Even if I give someone else a recipe it won’t taste the same; it’s like coffee, the person making the dish affects the dish.

“I can play with the pasta and change the flavours and feeling.”

Tahan makes the fresh pasta on site as well as the sweet treats such as cheesecake, vanilla cubes and the moreish chocolate logs.

The handmade gnocchi comprises waxy potato gnocchi, potato gnocchi pesto, sweet potato and thyme gnocchi and gnocchi combo.

The children’s menu ($9) offers cheesy spaghetti, spaghetti Napolitano and bolognaise.

Oppy’s Pasta has a takeaway pasta menu and special themed dishes depending on the season.

Its limited edition Green and Gold (spinach and saffron) pasta will set the tone for your Australia Day party.

What's your favourite dish?

Beef lasagne. The secret is fresh ingredients; fresh herbs, good quality meat. Don’t skimp on product.

What are the staples in your pantry?

Garlic, onion, chilli, fresh herbs like oregano, parsley and basil.

What's the biggest product discovery you have made in cooking?

Handmade pasta.

What's your secret vice?

Sweets and fresh bread.

What is your recipe standby?

Lasagne and fresh pasta.

What is your most unforgettable meal and where?

Vietnamese crispy skin chicken in Cabramatta.

What's your favourite cooking utensil?

Frying pan.

What did you have for dinner last night?

Oppy cooked a Thai dish.

What are you drinking?

Coffee Mocha.

Details:

Oppy’s Pasta,

627 Dean Street, Albury

Phone (02) 6045 8628

Oppy’s Pasta operates Monday to Friday, between 11am and 7pm.