How the Di Chiera family brought continental food to Perth, changing the local menu forever

When scores of Italian migrants arrived in Perth after World War II, they soon began to look for the food they ate back home, eventually introducing hitherto unknown fare to a whole city.

One of those stores was founded by the Di Chiera brothers, who emigrated from Naples and opened their first grocery store in 1953.

Antonio Di Chiera came to Perth as a young man in 1949, and was followed a few months later by his brother Giuseppe.

“Italy was obviously in ruins after World War II, economically, and like a lot of people, they were looking for a better life,” Tom Di Chiera, Antonio’s son, told Geoff Hutchison on ABC Radio Perth.

“Their…