A new independent pizzeria that specialises in Neapolitan sourdough bases will open in Harrogate later this month.
Pizza Social will open on Mount Parade, next door to North Bar and near to Harrogate Theatre, and will add to a growing list of venues in the town offering a slice of Italy’s most famous export.
Will Pemberton, who has been a chef for over 16 years including a spell as a tutor at Bettys Cookery School, decided to start making pizza during a drinking session at the Harewood Arms in Folifoot.
He started selling pizzas from a gazebo outside the pub “as a laugh” but as word of mouth spread, he was so successful he ended up regularly shifting 200 a night.
A Pizza Social pizza.
He since kitted out a horsebox with a pizza oven, to sell pizza at weddings, festivals and events across Yorkshire.
The next step was a bricks and mortar venue, and since moving into a former Christian book shop in October, it’s been all go preparing for launch.
He said:
“Pizza has always been popular but now more than ever. We’ll follow Neapolitan traditions to make the sourdough, which takes about two days. It’s a labour of love.”
Read more:
Everything in Pizza Social is made in-house with all bases being made with sourdough, which has a fluffy crust and a thin base. Will says sourdough is lighter on the stomach than other bases.
There will also be vegan pizzas on the menu and potentially gluten-free options in the future.
For added authenticity, Pizza Social will source the best flour, tomatoes and cheese from Italy – combined with local Yorkshire ingredients.
There will be space for 20 diners inside and 20 more on tables outside. It will offer takeaway but as collection only for now.
Will is excited to expand his business.
He said:
“Opening a restaurant is a ballsy thing to do but if we can make it a success now, we can make it anytime, with the support of the Harrogate public.”