Eva and Peter Guareri at their dream-come-true restaurant in Huskisson. Photo: Peter and Eve Guareri.
Huskisson restauranteurs Eva and Peter Guareri have always believed in each other – and maybe that’s the secret to their success.
Or it could be their authentic Italian cooking. It’s a tough call to make.
Eva and Peter own a pizza restaurant that bears their names in Huskisson, but that’s not where their story began.
It began in Italy, where Eva had worked in hospitality with her parents from when she was 14 years old.
Frustrated with the limited opportunities for themselves and their four children, in 2015 Eva and Peter decided to move to Australia, where Peter had grown up.
“In Italy we worked so hard for no return,” Eva said.
“Our children would ask for simple things like guitar lessons and it just wasn’t possible; money was very tight.
“We were tired of the situation and committed to change it for our children.
“Making our Australian dream work was all we thought about.”
When they first landed in Sydney Eva began to learn English and cared for the family while Peter got to work in construction.
Eventually Eva was able to get work teaching IT, and they began selling pizza out of a trailer on the weekends.
Although it was hard work, Peter said he never had any doubts they would one day open their own restaurant.
“Everyone said, ‘Don’t do it; are you going to leave your jobs just with a pizza trailer?’ But we were 100 per cent that it was going to work,” he said.
“Together with Eva I knew we could do it, no doubt.”
They worked hard, saved hard and when an opportunity came to move to the coast they grabbed it with both hands.
Eva and Peter Guareri say everything is made in-house. Photo: Peter and Eve Guareri.
Huskisson especially held special memories for them, as it was the site of their honeymoon in 2015.
The timing might not have seemed optimal, but for the Guareris it was perfect.
“Sydney was so expensive and the dream was to move to Huskisson,” Eva said.
“House prices were dropping because of COVID, and for the first time in our lives we could afford a house, so we thought why not?
“We started to sell from the front of the house in our little driveway, one table and two chairs.
“It was only me and Peter; I was starting to cook at 5 am in the morning teaching IT in Sydney in the middle of the day and coming back to sell pizza in the evening.
“Then we made a little outdoor restaurant with a gazebo and pizza trailer on a piece of land, but our dream was always to have a proper restaurant.
“We used all our money to buy one on the main street; the community brang us tables to fit it out. Sometimes I cry; I still don’t believe we did it.”
Peter and Eva said it was the constant support of their customers and community, from Sydney to Huskisson, that led to their success.
That and Eva’s good cooking.
Everything is made in-house, and ingredients are meticulously sourced.
For Peter and Eva it’s a labour of love.
“We’ve always been friendly people, and regulars – whether we see them once a week or once a year – become like family,” Peter said.
“We’re so grateful to watch kids grow up eating our food, or get excited for the lasagne or meatballs.
“It feels like that family thing in Italy of having people, friends and family come over for dinner.”
If you’re not sure what to order, Peter and Eva are unanimous – try the house-made gnocchi for a pillowy, nostalgic taste of Italy.
If pasta isn’t your style, their pizza is made with a light, slow-rising dough and fresh toppings.
For dessert, you can’t go past Eva’s tiramisu.
“When we have people come here from Italy and they say the taste takes them back home, that fills my heart,” Eva said.
“We love it here.”
Peter Eva is located at 2/52 Owen St, Huskisson, NSW, and is open Monday to Saturday. Book a table on (02) 4441 6603.
