In 2013, Federica Andrisani moved from Milan to work as a pastry chef in Marano Vicentino, a tiny town in Veneto, Italy. Her new boss was the youngest Michelin-starred chef in Italy, and she was eager to learn at El Coq, living in the staff sharehouse.
After a year, Oskar arrived—a fellow chef and friend of her boss, who had been working on a boat. He planned to stay for a few weeks to help develop the menu. Federica barely noticed him at first, but was puzzled by his blue eyes and fair skin. She thought her boss had said he was from Tanzania, but she had never heard of Tasmania.
An Unlikely Connection
After-work drinks led to a marathon Google Translate session at the house, and by 4am they were kissing at the kitchen table. Federica assumed it would be a brief affair. When Oskar's time ended, they said goodbye, and she felt relieved, focused on her career.
But that night, during service, the kitchen doors opened as Oskar walked in from the snowy night. It felt cinematic, but she was busy and only glanced at him, surprised by her happiness. He left again.
A Surprise Return
Federica was a nervous wreck for the rest of her shift. At the end, as she opened her car door, Oskar appeared and cheekily asked for a lift back to the staff house. She didn't hesitate, and within two weeks they moved into a tiny apartment with no hot water. Soon, they were planning their future restaurant—still via Google Translate.
They didn't speak the same language, but understood each other perfectly. In the kitchen, their synergy was amazing; off the clock, the chemistry was unparalleled. Oskar was easygoing, and they were always laughing, creating, and dreaming together.
From Italy to Tasmania
Three months later, they headed to Tasmania. Federica had a working holiday visa for one year, planning to save money and return to open a restaurant in Italy. Instead, they ran pop-ups in Hobart, and people loved their food. After some time back in Italy and visa hurdles, they opened Fico in 2016. Five years later, they married, and in 2024, their second venue, Pitzi, was born.
It took about five years for Federica to become fluent in English. During that time, they grew as a couple and business partners, evolving from a fantasy to a more mature relationship. With new understanding came nuance and friction, but their connection was never lost in translation.
Federica often tells the story of how they ended up married and running businesses in a place she didn't know existed. It seems crazy to meet someone and start a life via Google Translate, but here they are. Federica Andrisani and Oskar Rossi are executive chefs and co-owners of Fico and Pitzi in Hobart.
