Barbara Piscioneri, the “Queen of Lygon St”

In Carlton’s bustling heart, where the aroma of espresso mingles with the chatter of diners, few figures are as well-known as Barbara Piscioneri.

For more than nine years, Barbara has been a front-of-house supervisor at Brunetti Classico on Lygon St, and in that time has earned a reputation as not just a hospitality professional, but as what many affectionately call the “Queen of Lygon St”.

Hospitality, Barbara says, is not for the faint-hearted. It demands resilience, long hours, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Yet, for her, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

“I value building strong relationships with customers and colleagues; I always treat others with respect,” she said. “I was raised to be personable, attentive, and kind in all situations. I feel this approach has led to my professional advancement and personal job satisfaction.”

Barbara’s philosophy now guides her leadership. She loves mentoring younger staff, encouraging them to be upfront, flexible and honest in every interaction.

“If an offering isn’t available, politely let people know before they order and show empathy if you need to mitigate any issue,” she explained.

For Barbara, transparency is not just good service, but the foundation of trust with customers.

Her presence is felt not only on the café floor but also by her colleagues, who admire her dedication.

“Barbara is an integral team member and an outstanding role model for our staff and a much-loved Lygon St identity,” Fabio Angele, Brunetti Classico owner, said. “She has worked on the street for more than 18 years. Barbara is the Queen of Lygon St!”

Barbara’s path to Brunetti Classico has been as colourful as the cakes in the café’s display cabinets. Born in Rome, she migrated to Australia with her family in 1978. She initially worked as an Italian teacher before shifting into hospitality, where her flair for organisation and people skills quickly became evident.

She managed catering at RMIT University and spent 16 years at Vivaldi, a Collins Place institution, before stints at La Notte on Lygon St and other venues across Melbourne.

Outside of hospitality, Barbara nurtures her passion for art. A painter and sketch artist, she often draws inspiration from her travels back to Italy, producing works that have found homes with buyers locally.

“I particularly enjoy painting and drawing,” she said. “Many of my pieces are inspired by my trips back to Italy. I have sold some of my artwork, and love sharing it with others.”

And when she isn’t serving customers or sketching, she can usually be found cheering on the Carlton Football Club.

“I am a big Blues fan,” she said.

For Barbara, Lygon St is more than just a workplace. It’s a community she has been part of for nearly two decades – a place where she has built relationships, shared in milestones, and left her mark.

Whether it’s greeting regulars at Brunetti or guiding her team through the lunchtime rush, Barbara embodies the spirit of Lygon St: warm, resilient, and full of character. •