TWO Oxfordshire chefs are set to open their first restaurant, building on the success of their mobile pizza business.
Danny Holman and Simon Holder, from Bicester, set up The Pizza Boys back in 2018, treating people at local events to their stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas from a bright red trailer.
Although Covid restrictions and lockdowns meant the pair could not tour various food shows and cater at events as they normally would, their pizzas have continued to be a hit with the locals.
They are now due to open a bistro next Wednesday at Greenhill Leisure Park in Kidlington and are offering customers more than just their signature pizzas.
Mr Holman said: "When lockdown started we closed for a couple of weeks and we had a load of weddings cancelled and rescheduled. Then we opened at The Angel pub in Bicester for two nights a week as a delivery service and since last April it's been a really good year for us.
"We'd done some work at the Greenhill site before and they had a little cafe there. They were looking for some new owners so we had a look at it and got the keys in January.
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"We've completely gutted the place and turned it into a nice little bistro. We'll be serving fresh pasta, fresh pizza that people know us for and breakfast. We're using fresh ingredients and using local suppliers as well."
Some of the local businesses the pair will be using include Peter Goss Butchers and Sky Wave Gin in Bicester and Jericho Coffee Traders in Oxford.
During the pandemic they have been serving pizza on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Angel pub in Bicester and will continue to do so alongside running the bistro.
Mr Holman added: "When we started the takeaway service we were doing it on Wednesdays and had to add another evening because it was so busy. And even though it's a year later, we're still selling out.
"So we've got a real strong cult following in Bicester which is really nice now. We try and be optimistic. We tried to make something positive out of lockdown.
"We could have just closed and claimed money from the Government and sat back and collected our wages, but we decided to use this time."
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The men originally set up The Pizza Boys trailer because they noticed a lack of fresh handmade food available at local events.
At their bistro, people can enjoy homemade pancakes, fresh pasta, pizza and cakes as well as desserts and puddings. The menu will change every week to coincide with produce that is in season.
Mr Holman added: "It's been nice actually because from January we've had the time to get the restaurant ready, to paint it and get it how we want it. We're eager to get going next Wednesday."
The pair now have two full-time staff onboard who they have worked with in the past and who will help things run smoothly.
The Pizza Boys Bistro will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-8pm and Sundays from 9am to 12pm.
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