Our Story

Preston Fresh Seafood began in 1993, when Max and Françoise Pantacchini founded the business under the name Pantacchini’s Gourmet Foods, later known as Pantacchini’s Seafood Wholesale. After moving from Europe to Cairns in their early twenties to work in hospitality, they quickly recognised the need for a reliable seafood wholesaler supplying high‑quality products throughout Far North Queensland.

What started as a small two‑person operation grew quickly. Within five years, the Pantacchinis had built a team of more than 45 staff and were running a fleet of five blue trucks delivering seafood to over 200 customers - from Cape York to Townsville, as well as interstate and overseas.

The business began in a single shed shared with four other tenants. Over the next two decades, Max and Françoise gradually purchased the neighbouring sheds as they became available, expanding their operations step by step. During this time, they also ran a retail shop opposite James Cook University for five years, all while raising their two young daughters.

Throughout their time in the industry, Max and Françoise earned a strong reputation for quality and innovation. One of their most memorable creations was the Green Ant Gravlax, which is still talked about today. In 2002, they were selected to supply seafood to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Cairns - a milestone the family remains proud of.

After 14 years, the Pantacchinis sold the business in 2007 and moved south, where they worked as seafood contractors for six years. In 2013, they returned to Cairns and, together with their daughters Davina and Dorine and son‑in‑law Patrice, began rebuilding the company. The business was rebranded as Preston Fresh Seafood.

With a strong background in hospitality, the family brings a deep respect for quality produce and a genuine passion for food. Today, Preston Fresh Seafood is the largest seafood retail shop in Cairns, having undergone major renovations and expansions to offer the region’s most extensive range of seafood.

In October 2025, the company completed its most significant development yet: a state‑of‑the‑art factory built next to the retail store. The shop now features an open layout, including a visible filleting room behind the fresh fish counter, an open kitchen, and an oyster‑shucking station.

The original Pantacchini site has since been transformed into the Preston Fresh Food Collective - a group of local small businesses that includes The Bread Attic (Baker), The Meat Emporium (Butcher), Tablelands to Tabletop (Green Grocer) and Fortunato Salumi (Fourth Generation Artisan Italian Salumi Maker). Together, these operators create a convenient one‑stop destination where customers can support five local independent businesses in a single visit.

The Pantacchini and Perna families remain deeply grateful for the continued support from the Cairns community, which has played a major role in the growth of both Preston Fresh Seafood and the Preston Fresh Food Collective.