Discussion
Not sure if for this or business forum, but I'm seriously thinking of starting a pizza business - which is kind of saturated I know (but it won't be anywhere near London so competition should be lessened).
To stand out and produce the best product though I want to learn from the best. Can anyone recommend a place to learn ie in Italy? I don't mind relocating for a few months...
To stand out and produce the best product though I want to learn from the best. Can anyone recommend a place to learn ie in Italy? I don't mind relocating for a few months...
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better. It is not about "the best" because nobody wants to pay for that and if they do then they don't want a pizza.If you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
battered said:
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better. It is not about "the best" because nobody wants to pay for that and if they do then they don't want a pizza.If you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
OP, I imagine you are looking at something like this place? The pizza here is first class (and cheap) and the owner trained as you want to. Maybe contact him for advice as he's extremely passionate about what he does. I would think there are many places like this in London though.
http://rudyspizza.co.uk/index.phtml
battered said:
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better.UK Pizza - Domino's style, tons of plastic cheese, thick base, customer aim is to get as many toppings with as much saturated fat as possible for their money.
Italian Pizza - thin base (crisp or soft seems to be a regional variation), rich tomato sauce, one or possibly two toppings, small amount of mozzarella or parmesan.
Personally I don't think there is any need to train abroad. Plenty of people in the UK know how to make good pizza. Whether they would share their knowledge and skills is another thing. Possibly working for someone for a while would be the best option as you will learn a lot more about the business.
Obviously making pizza involves skill but (IMO) the ingredients are just as important as is the cooking method. All things that are not skill dependent.
Personally, my biggest concern would be finding the right location. Margins on pizza are good but rents and rates are higher!
Another example of proper pizza in the UK, http://www.ilvulcano.co.uk/our-menu/
Obviously making pizza involves skill but (IMO) the ingredients are just as important as is the cooking method. All things that are not skill dependent.
Personally, my biggest concern would be finding the right location. Margins on pizza are good but rents and rates are higher!
Another example of proper pizza in the UK, http://www.ilvulcano.co.uk/our-menu/
This place has opened recently in Wilmslow - http://www.900degrees.pizza/
Great concept IMO, fresh ingredients in a Subway style production line, into the oven for 90 seconds and away you go. Almost 'proper' Italian style, fresh dough pressed thin, mozzarella, proper pizza oven.
Great concept IMO, fresh ingredients in a Subway style production line, into the oven for 90 seconds and away you go. Almost 'proper' Italian style, fresh dough pressed thin, mozzarella, proper pizza oven.
Rollin said:
battered said:
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better. It is not about "the best" because nobody wants to pay for that and if they do then they don't want a pizza.If you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
OP, I imagine you are looking at something like this place? The pizza here is first class (and cheap) and the owner trained as you want to. Maybe contact him for advice as he's extremely passionate about what he does. I would think there are many places like this in London though.
http://rudyspizza.co.uk/index.phtml
The business that these places do is phenomenal - granted they're in London. But the actual product is cheaper than say Pizza Express and Pizza Hut.
Also I think in these healthier times- an original style wood fired pizza is more sought after than a circa 3000 calorie heart attack special that you'd get at Pizza Hut.
Rollin said:
battered said:
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better. It is not about "the best" because nobody wants to pay for that and if they do then they don't want a pizza.If you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
OP, I imagine you are looking at something like this place? The pizza here is first class (and cheap) and the owner trained as you want to. Maybe contact him for advice as he's extremely passionate about what he does. I would think there are many places like this in London though.
http://rudyspizza.co.uk/index.phtml
Good luck, it sounds great. I'd pay extra for a "nice" pizza, the obstacle for me is that I get 5 pizza/curry/kebab flyers through the door every day, they all offer the same greasy cheap junk and I bin them all. You need to persuade me that your product is different from the other 95 pizza jionts in town, and I'll have a go. Persuade enough people and you have a business, if not then you are competing with the race to the bottom "2 for £5" outfits that use cheese substitute and anything else they can lay their hands on.
EarlOfHazard said:
Absolutely something like that. I lived in London for several years and place that was head and shoulders above the rest was Franco Manca's. It was more like an Italian pizza than you'd get at any restaurant and/or chain. Another was Pizza Pilgrims.
The business that these places do is phenomenal - granted they're in London. But the actual product is cheaper than say Pizza Express and Pizza Hut.
Also I think in these healthier times- an original style wood fired pizza is more sought after than a circa 3000 calorie heart attack special that you'd get at Pizza Hut.
Rudys is extremely popular. Good luck, I've always wanted to do similar.The business that these places do is phenomenal - granted they're in London. But the actual product is cheaper than say Pizza Express and Pizza Hut.
Also I think in these healthier times- an original style wood fired pizza is more sought after than a circa 3000 calorie heart attack special that you'd get at Pizza Hut.
Looking at this from a slightly different direction, a nice place with a very basic menu has been going for a while close to us.
They do their own wood fired ovens and the pizza is very nice without being outstanding. The main thing is the surroundings and the approach of the owners, -a little bit hippy (without being hipster) and right next to the Teifi estuary in a 17th century quayside courtyard with a barn converted to a bar at one end with great local beers brewed just up the road. Seating under a big tipi and all very basic/chilled/informal.
We go there a lot because it's great for kids for a lunch or a nice relaxed evening out for friends usually with a live band.
Not trying to advertise the place, but it's an example of somewhere I'd personally make the effort to go, when I wouldn't consider travelling to a big name high street pizza place, (because they're all so samey).
http://www.pizzatipi.co.uk/
They do their own wood fired ovens and the pizza is very nice without being outstanding. The main thing is the surroundings and the approach of the owners, -a little bit hippy (without being hipster) and right next to the Teifi estuary in a 17th century quayside courtyard with a barn converted to a bar at one end with great local beers brewed just up the road. Seating under a big tipi and all very basic/chilled/informal.
We go there a lot because it's great for kids for a lunch or a nice relaxed evening out for friends usually with a live band.
Not trying to advertise the place, but it's an example of somewhere I'd personally make the effort to go, when I wouldn't consider travelling to a big name high street pizza place, (because they're all so samey).
http://www.pizzatipi.co.uk/
This guy's videos are INVALUABLE for the amateur pizza maker;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxpwbWBNuU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxpwbWBNuU
p1stonhead said:
This guy's videos are INVALUABLE for the amateur pizza maker;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxpwbWBNuU
Genuine lol there!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfxpwbWBNuU
Although I'm digging this guy's passion - bet his pizzas taste great
https://youtu.be/mz91GfoZ-Zs
Digitalize said:
What is considered a good proper Pizza in Italy is very different to what the people of Britain want, so whilst I can see the reasoning, it might not be the best idea.
I don't think it's necessarily a case of what people "want", but the s
te that gets peddled. Yes, I'm sure there are plenty who think pizza starts and stops at Pizza Hut. But equally I think there are plenty who would prefer decent stuff.
Pizza does not have to be expensive food. Though the prices Dominos and the like now charge you'd be excused for thinking so!
battered said:
Absolutely this. A pizza place in the UK is about knocking out tarted-up cheese on toast, cheap. If you deliver, so much the better. It is not about "the best" because nobody wants to pay for that and if they do then they don't want a pizza.
If you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
that's absolute bIf you disagree then I'd be very interested to hear your reasoning.
ks, here in Manchester the most authetic italian style pizza places are much more successful than stty cheap cheese on toast placesEarlOfHazard said:
Absolutely something like that. I lived in London for several years and place that was head and shoulders above the rest was Franco Manca's. It was more like an Italian pizza than you'd get at any restaurant and/or chain. Another was Pizza Pilgrims.
The business that these places do is phenomenal - granted they're in London. But the actual product is cheaper than say Pizza Express and Pizza Hut.
Also I think in these healthier times- an original style wood fired pizza is more sought after than a circa 3000 calorie heart attack special that you'd get at Pizza Hut.
Have you read the Franco Manca book?The business that these places do is phenomenal - granted they're in London. But the actual product is cheaper than say Pizza Express and Pizza Hut.
Also I think in these healthier times- an original style wood fired pizza is more sought after than a circa 3000 calorie heart attack special that you'd get at Pizza Hut.
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff