What started as a brotherly competition across European cafes has transformed into one of Melbourne's most beloved specialty dessert destinations. Clancy and Finley Ivanac, the founders of Pinto Tiramisu, have turned their obsessive quest for the perfect tiramisu into a thriving business that captured the hearts—and taste buds—of Melburnians.
The story begins years ago when the brothers were traveling and working separately through Europe. Despite being thousands of miles apart, they maintained a unique connection: rating every tiramisu they encountered and sharing their scores with each other. "We must have tried hundreds of tiramisus across Italy, France, and beyond," Clancy recalls. "But we never found a perfect 10."
That shared disappointment became the foundation for something extraordinary. When the brothers reunited in Melbourne, they decided that if the perfect tiramisu didn't exist, they would create it themselves. Without formal pastry training, they dove headfirst into mastering the Italian classic, spending countless hours perfecting every element—the mascarpone, the savoiardi biscuits, the coffee-soaking technique.
Their creations first appeared at Melbourne's beloved farmers' markets, where word spread quickly among dessert enthusiasts. The response was overwhelming, with customers returning week after week, bringing friends and family to experience what many proclaimed was indeed that elusive perfect tiramisu.
The brothers' dream of a permanent home seemed distant until their loyal community stepped in. A crowdfunding campaign raised an remarkable $33,000 from supporters who believed in Pinto Tiramisu's mission. "We were blown away," Finley says. "Our customers literally invested in our dream."
That dream materialized in a converted garage in Fitzroy, where Pinto Tiramisu now operates. The brothers remain committed to their founding principle: mastering one thing and doing it exceptionally well. Everything is made in-house, from the mascarpone to the savoiardi, ensuring complete control over quality.
While the classic tiramisu remains the cornerstone, the menu features rotating seasonal flavors that have developed their own devoted followings—strawberry matcha, peanut brownie, chocolate hazelnut, and even Earl Grey variations. Each cup or slab represents not just a dessert, but years of brotherly dedication to a single, delicious pursuit.