Raised in Vanuatu, trained in Malaysia and inspired by a year eating her way through the Mediterranean, Kate Dickins has lived a life shaped by food and travel. In this Crumb Wire profile, the Ciao Cielo founder shares how tragedy became the catalyst for one of Port Melbourne’s most beloved restaurants.
Tell us a bit about yourself – what’s your background and what led you to the world of food and drink?
I’m a restaurateur and former professional chef, and I’ve been fortunate to work in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. Alongside cooking, travel has always been a great passion of mine, and through my restaurant, I’ve been lucky enough to bring those two passions together – bringing the experiences I’ve gathered across the globe to the plate.
Tell us about your property. What makes it unique?
Ciao Cielo is housed in a historic courthouse in Port Melbourne that dates back to 1866. The building is beautifully preserved and heritage protected, and I feel incredibly privileged and proud to be its custodian.
Talk us through the journey of your brand. What have been some of the key achievements and challenges along the way?
Ciao Cielo was born from tragedy. Losing my nonno and nonna in the Black Saturday Bushfires shortly after returning from travelling around the world became the catalyst that pushed me to pursue my dream of having my own restaurant. We started small, but fifteen years on and staying true to the promise of making them proud, we are bigger and better than ever.
How has the Australian market responded to the brand and what has surprised you most?
At the heart of our brand is the food. As chefs, we really focus on what we know best – consistency and uncompromising quality. We want every visit to feel like a meal you’d find yourself craving in Italy.
What has surprised me most is how deeply connected our guests become to the restaurant. Despite it being a large venue, it has developed a real sense of warmth and familiarity. It feels like home not just for us, but for many of our regulars, too.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about the work you do?
In an era of rising costs and razor-thin margins, I wish more people understood just how much goes into producing everything we serve.
Everything on your plate at Ciao Cielo is made by us, in-house. Our bread is baked every morning, our pasta is hand-rolled, and our gelato is freshly churned. We use exceptional ingredients – from the finest San Daniele prosciutto and premium mozzarella to fresh fish and oysters opened to order. It’s Italian cooking without shortcuts and without compromise.
How do you see food and drink culture in Australia evolving and how does your brand fit in?
I believe Ciao Cielo has evolved nicely with the times. Because we are owner-operated, we approach the experience from the perspective of a guest – asking ourselves what we would want to experience when visiting a venue we love.
We’ve done fine dining, but we also embrace fun – whether that’s DJs in the garden or spritz parties. Hospitality should be enjoyable and uplifting, especially in times when the world can feel a little heavy.
What keeps you inspired as a founder?
People. Hospitality at its core is all about human connection. I’ve always been a bit of a people pleaser, which is probably why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. Every day, I get to be part of people’s lives and special moments – whether it’s a date, a wedding, a family celebration or even someone simply stopping in alone for a good feed and a chat. I’m incredibly lucky to be part of something greater than me.
What’s next for you and the brand?
Honestly, for a long time, I was driven by the idea of expansion – building a hospitality group and scaling the business. However, in recent years, I’ve taken a step back and really reflected on what I’ve created.
Rather than chasing growth, I’m more focused on enriching what we have, developing family cooking classes to bring people together to make beautiful food and organising seasonal events and summer activations that bring something special to my local community. It’s about enhancing what we do, rather than simply expanding it.
And finally, what do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Everything and nothing, in equal measure. I’ve become very conscious of the importance of mental health and wellbeing, particularly in such a demanding industry. I’ve learnt to protect my personal time and prioritise balance.
Travelling and getting out of town are the things that excite me most. I love a good adventure. While our guests are making memories at Ciao Cielo, I try to make sure I do the same when it’s my turn.
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