The Sunflower Al Fresco Pizza Co Ltd is founded by a Marshland St James couple inspired by their holiday in Florence
Inspired by a holiday in Italy, a couple from Marshland St James decided to introduce a taste of Tuscany back home by launching a pizza business.
Charlie Whittenbury, a builder, and Claire Upton, a sales executive, of Smeeth Road, have founded The Sunflower Al Fresco Pizza Co Ltd, which operates from a Land Rover Defender 110, fitted with a wood fired pizza oven.
Said Charlie: "We were in Florence for the Moto GP and while there we had some rather nice pizza. I have often looked at burger vans and thought I would like to do something similar."
To begin with, on their search for a suitable vehicle, they came across a listing for a Land Rover already fitted with a pizza oven, which was for sale by a couple called, Charlie and Claire.
"We thought that was a sign and contacted them immediately," said Charlie.
They travelled to Leighton Buzzard to check it out. Said Claire: "Charlie and Claire were so lovely and informative, and they too, worked full time jobs and their pizza business was a fun sideline, the same as it has become for us now. It really is as fun as the Italians show you it is."
Although they did not buy that particular Land Rover, they researched the street food sector helped by the Nationwide Caterers Association's (NCASS) website. Eventually they came across the vehicle they now have.
Charlie and Claire contacted Nwes, based at KLIC, and worked with their business adviser David Scates to secure the funding in time to complete the sale. They were overjoyed to become the proud new owners of the 1993 Land Rover 110, which they bought in Retford.
They named it "Leo" as a nod to the place they ate pizza in Florence, La Grotta di Leo Ristorante – Pizzeria, which had sunflowers printed on everything, hence their business name Sunflower Al Fresco Pizza Co Ltd.
They became members of NCASS and have both achieved its level 3 food hygiene rating, and gained a level five food hygiene rating from West Norfolk Council.
During South Wootton Beer Festival this year, they served 220 pizzas over two days and ran out both days due to high demand.
Said Charlie: "Considering we both work in demanding jobs, neither of us were prepared for just how much work this would be. But it was the compliments about our pizzas that has kept us going ever since."
As well as going out and about to do events, they serve pizzas from their home in Marshland St James on Monday and Friday evenings, from 5.30pm-8.30pm.
Events they have attended so far include the Dedicated Care Family Fun day in Tilney St Lawrence, Stonea Iceni Village, Bourne Fireworks, Marshland St James Christmas shopping evening, Inchcape Land Rover, King's Lynn, for the pre-launch of the new Defender and March Christmas Market.
Charlie and Claire welcome inquiries for them to attend events such as weddings, parties and festivals. They can be contacted by phone on 07909 954671, by email: sunfloweralfrescopizza@gmail.com or can be found on Facebook and Instagram as Sunflower Al Fresco Pizza Co. Ltd.
