The people behind Avanti really make the dining experience come to life. Chef William Gornall along with recent State Culinary Silver Medal winning Iain Capovilla project some combined 43 years of experience into the menu. To greet you on arrival, Proprietor Joseph Brancaleone, (ex. Avanti fame in Rathdowne St Carlton for some 15years) will ensure you are comforted, along with Restaurant Manager Chris Franklin, who between them share well over 40years of practical industry experience really do make the dining experience come to life.

Joseph Brancaleone
Restaurant Proprietor
Formally from ‘Avanti’ fame of Rathdowne Street, Carlton for some 16years, Joe is one of the last few remaining true gentlemen (dinosaurs) for the restaurant industry.
From his early beginnings working in some of the most elite restaurants in Melbourne; beginning at the Mono Lisa, Manager of the Park Royal in Royal Parade and the Assistant Manager of the Grand Opening of Max’s Restaurant at the Grand Hyatt, just to name a few, Joe moved on into a place of his own, Avanti in Carlton, to where his restaurant became a Melbourne icon known by and frequently dinned by some of Australia’s and the World’s most famous.

From inner city suburbs to the outskirts of Melbourne, Joe moved out of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and on to manage another fine Italian restaurant in Sunbury and a winery function centre. There, he learnt a new aspect of the industry within a country setting in a township with a real country feel.With more newly made friendships, and the passion re-ignited, it was now time to make another leap, to where you will find him today, Avanti at Witchmount Estate Winery. Here, Joe, along with a senior management team, to which have become apart of the ‘Avanti family’, have created a fine dining restaurant with a cosy, casual feel, where first time guests soon become regulars, with comfort food and spectacular award winning wines to match.

William A. Gornall
Executive Chef
After completing his apprenticeship in 1971, William Gornall has gained over some 35 years experience in operating kitchens throughout Melbourne, Bendigo and across the Sunbury and Macedon Region, as well as opening a successful restaurant in Bendigo. This experience allows William to bring to Avanti a wealth of knowledge, creativity and professionalism seldom seen today.

As Executive Chef at Avanti, his emphases is about using the best and freshest local and finest imported Italian ingredients to sensational and innovative dishes, as well as classic Italian fare. William also places an important emphasis on not only developing kitchen, but restaurant management skills also, for his young apprentices.

Iain Capovilla
Sous Chef
A young aspiring Chef, with a proud Italian/Australian background, Iain showed his passion and commitment for the industry from an early stage of his although short, but prosperous career.  Immediately from completing his VCE studies, Iain pursued his interests by heading into the NMIT fold, to where he has completed his further studies whilst gaining valuable experience through his apprenticeship at Avanti at Witchmount.

Whilst at NMIT, along with his instructors, Iain has displayed great early talent as seen though many awards presented to him, the most recent, a silver medal in the Victorian TAFE Cookery Challenge. Now, a fully qualified chef, Avanti at Witchmount can boast the talents of not only possessing a Master Chef in William Gornall, but a young, talented and inspiring chef in Iain Capovilla.

Chris Franklin
Restaurant Manager
From stepping off the street, at 15years of age, looking for some part time work after school, it did not take long for Chris Franklin to develop a passion for the industry.
Whilst taken under the wing of Joseph Brancaleone, Chris was soon to learn much about the Industry from an early age. Now with further studies completed studies in Hospitality and Business Management, and some already 10 years of practical experience within the Hospitality Industry, Chris has become an always integral face of Avanti at Witchmount.

The relationship between Chris and Joseph extends well beyond employer and employee, thus, when you do make your first call or your first dining experience to Avanti at Witchmount, there will be no doubt that these will be the first two voices and faces to which will greet you and guaranteed, it will not take long before you too become apart of the ‘Avanti family’ guests list.