The son of Neapolitan Chef who jointly founded pizza chain giant Pizza Express visited Elizabeth House for National Pizza Day

Residents at Elizabeth House care home in Welwyn Garden City celebrated National Pizza Day by welcoming restaurateur Marco Molino, the son of a Neapolitan chef who jointly founded pizza chain giant Pizza Express.

“National Pizza Day, now that’s a day that doesn’t need much explanation, but in case you need it: National Pizza Day is a day dedicated to celebrating pizza. And why not? Pizza really is a wonderful thing and full of nutrition too,” said Elizabeth House Home Manager, Maria Dziedziurska. 

Restaurateur Marco Molino that runs the Trip Advisor Excellent Rated Italian restaurant Il Molino based in London, arrived at the care home in his vehicle registration marked ‘PIZZA’ so it was clear to see where his passion lies. Marco was laden with all the ingredients needed to set up a pizzeria in Elizabeth House. He said: “It Is important that I bring my own ingredients so that everyone gets to sample the taste that has been passed down from my father that has not only contributed to my own success but also that of the pizza chain giant Pizza Express.”   

Marco had residents, staff and visitors mesmerised as he shared the journey of his father Mario. Lacking opportunities in Naples, Mario moved to London in the early sixties and held various posts in London restaurants before meeting Peter Boizot (Pizza Express co-founder) in 1965. Mario and Peter realised they both shared the same passion and so set up the first pizzeria in England, a tiny room in Wardour Street, London.  Mario added his own authenticity derived from Naples, and so Peter Boizot’s dream came true as the journey began to create a chain of ‘Pizza Bars’, now known as Pizza Express. 

Keen to follow in his father’s footsteps, Marco completed a two-year Cordon Bleu cookery course in Paris, gaining a prestigious ‘Grand Diploma’, a professional chef diploma. He then joined his father’s restaurant ‘De Mario’s’ where he first met Princess Diana. The residents really enjoyed listening to Mario share his memories of the days Diana would lunch at his father’s restaurant with her good friend Kate Menzies and of course her two boys William and Harry. “It was a regular occurrence Diana and the boys joining us for lunch, and they would be treated as any other guest, I think that’s what they enjoyed most, apart from the food of-course. We would always make them feel at ease and not fuss around them”. Said Marco.

After the talk, everyone had the chance to get involved in tossing the pizza dough which was really fun. Residents were then provided with a huge selection of toppings so that they could choose their favourites and really get involved.    

After a very short time, an amazing smell came from the kitchen and Marco presented the tasty creations. “Best pizza I have ever tasted”, claimed one resident!

Elizabeth House in Welwyn Garden City is managed by not for profit care provider Quantum Care and is home to up to 60 elderly residents at any one time. Quantum Care have been in operation for almost 28 years and provide care services to over 2000 people in Herts, Beds and Essex. For more information, call Elizabeth House on 01707 338821 or visit www.quantumcare.co.uk.