From a secret pizzeria in a lounge to Cape Town’s beloved secret pizza parla, Ferdinando’s celebrates 10 years of making pizza. The restaurant owners are now determined to take this year’s inaugural Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge.
Also Read: 5 Scrumptious pizza spots to check out around Cape Town
Ferdinando’s love story
In 2011, Ferdinando’s unofficially opened its back door to friends and family for pizza. With a journey of love and passion, owners Diego Milesi and Kimon (Kiki) Bisogno met during international travelling, relocated to the Mother City and decided to share their love for pizza with Capetonians. Kiki and Diego started the “secret pizzeria” in their apartment on Loader Street, but today they have a 70-seater restaurant located at Lower Main Road, Observatory. So, who is Ferdinando? Bisogno says it’s their four-legged, furry child, who patrols the premises and keeps an eye on things.
Sharing kindness
The duo also firmly believes in giving back to the community. Apart from the restaurant serving pizzas, they also have been running a Pasta Kitchen in Observatory for five years. This is how they give back to the less fortunate.
Authentic Italian cuisine
Bisogno believes their mouth-watering pizzas are unique and open the door to authentic Italian cuisine which they share with guests. Calling out, all the pizza lovers to try their top-selling pizza, the Classic Diavola – spicy Italian salami on a margarita base while a signature pizza is the Turbanite, a must-have topped with grilled baby marrow, homemade caramelised onion jam and feta.
Tips for pizza lovers
Diego and Kiki say that pizza should be eaten hot and fuss-free with a good crust, some depth to the tomato flavour and always a hint of spice in good company or alone – it needs to be satisfying on all levels. Perfect, when paired with a great wine varietal, such as the Porcupine Syrah in winter and the Chenin Blanc in summer. However, their favourite topping is love – “If you cook with passion then you can taste it in food.”
The Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge
The quirky and colourful restaurant serving the best pizza in the Mother City. According to diners who voted the establishment second in last year’s inaugural Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge. Running from 1 July through to 30 September, 2022, with the Top 10 and winner being announced in mid-October. The challenge is open to any restaurant offering pizza on their menu and holding a valid liquor license. Ferdinando’s wants to take the title this year.
Consumers dining at participating restaurants will notice point-of-sale containing a QR code that prompts them to the voting platform for more information and to vote via the website.
Each week, a lucky voter will be drawn to win wine from Porcupine Ridge and EarthFire Pizza Stone & Cutter. A grand prize winner, drawn at the end of the challenge will receive wine from their favourite pizzeria.
Also Read:
Enjoy ‘a slice of heaven’ by booking your spot at this pizza-making class!
Picture: Unsplash
