A PIZZA chef who used to work in the Italian and French Alps has launched a new menu at the Kings Head pub – and he is so confident he already has plans to turn his business into a chain.
Santa Lucia Neapolitan Pizza is available for delivery, collection or to eat-in at the Winwick Street pub.
Nathan Fannon is so passionate about Neapolitan-style pizza that he has invested in a stone bake pizza oven and all of his key ingredients are imported directly from Italy.
Nathan Fannon and Janella Roberts
That includes San Marzano tomatoes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, fior di latte cheese from the milk of Agerolese cows and dough made from Italian ‘00’ flour.
Nathan said: “This is our first pizza kitchen but we’re hoping to take it around the country.
“About 10 years ago I worked in the Alps. I was a pizza chef in ski resorts in France and Italy.
Nathan Fannon and Janella Roberts
“I also went travelling around Italy and what I noticed is that you could get pizza everywhere but it was consistently made to a higher standard than what we get here in the UK.
“Over lockdown, more pizza places have opened because there was a higher demand for takeaways but the quality wasn’t always there.
“I think people sometimes try and cut corners with the ingredients.
Nathan Fannon and Janella Roberts
“So what I wanted to do was take inspiration from when I worked in Naples and launch a pizza brand that only uses the highest quality ingredients to create an authentic Neapolitan pizza.
“All our ingredients are imported directly from Italy.
“It obviously costs us a bit more but it gives you that authentic taste and you instantly notice the difference. It’s just something I’ve always been passionate about.”
Nathan Fannon and Janella Roberts
Nathan has launched at the Kings Head because his dad Paul and uncle Andy run the pub. But he wants to expand into Manchester and Liverpool as soon as the opportunity arises.
The 37-year-old added: “I’ve always wanted to do this but until now I’ve never had the time with things like family commitments.
“It’s all starting at the Kings Head but I’d definitely like to see Santa Lucia expand.”
Nathan Fannon and Janella Roberts
The favourite on Nathan’s menu so far is the Pollo Santa Lucia – a chicken pizza with peppers, onions and chilli.
“It’s not hard to make a decent pizza – it’s all about the ingredients. People enjoy the simplicity of it,” he said.
Nathan is inviting people to taste the difference with a special offer this Friday.
Between 4pm and 10pm, you can order any of his stone baked pizzas for collection for the reduced price of £5.
You can pre-order from 2pm. Call 653553.
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