Melbourne chilli favourite Bippi has teamed up with LaManna to launch Casa Della Nonna, an immersive pop-up experience celebrating the sights, smells and chaos of a classic Italian grandparent’s house.
Launching Saturday 23 May at LaManna Essendon Fields, the museum-style installation recreates the familiar world of Nonno and Nonna with plastic-covered couches, religious icons, endless doilies and the unmistakable aroma of homemade pasta filling the space. Visitors move through a series of interactive displays and playful plaques explaining the cultural significance behind each object and ritual.
The experience is inspired by the upbringing of Bippi founder and CEO Ben Circosta, who created the brand using recipes passed down from his Nonna.
“We wanted to create an immersive experience that feels like stepping into a traditional Italian family home, with every detail reflecting daily rituals, routines and cosy familiarity,” he said.
“For visitors with Italian heritage, every element will bring fond memories and nostalgia. Those without Italian backgrounds will get a real sense of what it’s like to visit Nonno and Nonna’s house. It’s a playful tribute to everything we love about them.”
To celebrate the launch, the first 100 visitors will score a free serving of homemade pasta, while games including Spin the Wheel and a Taralli guessing competition will offer chances to win Bippi prizes throughout the day.
Massimo D’Ambrosio from the Hawthorn Football Club will also appear alongside his Instagram-famous Nonno between 10am and 1pm, with fans invited to play traditional Italian card game Briscola for the chance to win free Bippi products.
The pop-up will run for six weeks during LaManna opening hours, with tastings, kids activities, coffee giveaways and plenty of highly Instagrammable moments planned throughout the residency.
