His Wangaratta restaurant Rinaldo's Casa Cucina is named in honour of his late father Rinaldo Pizzini.

Treasured memories of helping his Nonna transform produce into preserves, sauces and pasta, have inspired Pizzini to honour those traditions.

Pizzini will host Rinaldo's Festa della Regione Dinner on May 18 to share his rich Italian culture.

He said it would feature the best local seasonal produce and wines.

"I have created a four-course menu matched to four Italian varietal wines, which will be served as part of a shared Italian feast," he said.

"Many of the dishes, you would experience if you joined me at my family table (which is often quite large and very loud given the number of us!); personal favourite dishes such as crostini formagio di capra, ravioli, slow braised beef, peperonata and apple fritti will all feature."

Pizzini will be joined by piano accordionist Helmut Lopaczuk, his uncle Fred Pizzini and several North East producers for the first in a series of seasonal Rinaldos Festa della Regione events.

Part of the 2019 Feast High Country Festival, the first dinner runs on May 18 from 6pm. Bookings essential.

MEET MORE HOMEGROWN CHEFS:

What's your favourite autumn dish?

Favourite dishes from my childhood such as braised meats, polenta, a warming bowl of pasta.

What are the staples in your pantry now?

New season potatoes and apples from Stanley and Italian hard cheese.

What is your earliest cooking memory?

Gnocchi was always in high demand at our large family gatherings. I remember Nonna rolling, cutting and flicking the gnocchi dough across the table to my aunty, who would collect it ready to cook in a big pot of boiling water.

Which ingredients do you grow yourself?

My wife and I have a large kitchen garden at Tarrawingee. We are harvesting pumpkin, beetroot, carrots and herbs. We also supply our own Black Angus beef.

Which six people would you invite to dinner?

Family

What is your favourite foodie ritual?

Visiting the hills behind King Valley and collecting pine mushrooms with my daughters.

What are you bingeing on TV?

The Umbrella Academy

What did you have for dinner last night?

Homemade spaghetti with Napoli sauce and Italian pecorino. Winter salad greens dressed in aged balsamic.

What are you drinking at the moment?

Nero d'Avola

TRY ADAM'S EGGPLANT CROQUETTES

Details:

Rinaldos Casa Cucina,

56-58 Faithfull Street, Wangaratta

Phone: (03) 5721 8800