Ivan had grown up living in a rural setting close to the Mediterranean. As a child, any food the family had was found in the earth and trees surrounding their modest home. Ivan spent childhood days climbing trees for figs and apples, digging up the soil for vegetables and eating ripe tomatoes from the vine.

At the age of 19 and in the still of night, Ivan left his home and family to look for a better life in Australia. After arriving, Ivan worked on the Snowy Mountain hydroscheme during the 1960’s, drove Melbourne trams during the 1970’s, before surprising his young family in 1980 with an idea of becoming a pie maker.

Ivan was fortunate that his wife Anne grew up in a Melbourne family that ran guest houses and so spent many hours of her youth in the kitchen preparing meals for the guests. Together they founded Ivan’s Pies in 1980. They soon became known for making the best home-made pies in Melbourne and the company today is known for making the best artisanal pies in Australia.

Ivan’s remains today a family business with the 2nd generation now managing the artisan traditions while the 3rd generation lend an occasional hand on school holidays! Of course, the family at Ivan’s reaches far wider to include our loyal and skilled employees and our many valued customers, many of whom have been with us for long parts of our journey.