Dunsborough Italian restaurant owner of La Casina, Alan Fenati will become an Australia citizen at a ceremony today.
Mr Fenati came to live in Australia after he met his wife Nicola (who was from Perth) about 15 years ago in London.
He has owned La Casina for the last five years and said he liked the easiness of life here in the South West.
“When we get some down time we can relax with our two small children,” he said.
“I like the outdoor living, the ocean and beach.”
Mr Fenati said he liked the Australia philosophy of a fair country and its democratic political values.
“It is accepting of every religion but does not push with any particular religion,” he said.
“Coming from a very Catholic place like Italy I grew up talking too much about that type of thing, I was never too sure about it.”
Mr Fenati grew up in a town called Bagnacavallo in Italy which is located two hours south of Venice on the East Coast.
“We shared the same hills as Tuscany and were an hour and a half drive from Florence,” he said.
Life here in the South West for Mr Fenati was completely different to his life back in Italy.
“I visit every year but I have not been back to live there for 17 years,” he said.
“I have not lived in Italy since I was a teenager so it was a different lifestyle because of the age.”
Mr Fenati said life here was more relaxed with less traffic, less stress and less people.
“This makes life easier for everyone compared to Europe,” he said.
“Because of the closeness to everything in Europe and all the different cultures makes it a nice place to live,” he said.
“But there are a lot of people which makes it really tight.
“There are lots of cars everywhere and it is a bit busier over there.”
Mr Fenati has been in the restaurant business for all of his working career and started out at a catering college in Italy.
Since then he continued studying business management and wine appreciation and sommelier courses.
He has worked in some Michelin star restaurants in London and has great experience in management.
“I always have fun working with people,” he said.
“I like talking to people and sharing my thoughts on food and wine travels.”