Mount Lavinia Hotel’s celebration of World Pizza Day on February 9th was an unforgettable gastronomic journey, bringing together the finest of Italian cuisine, local flavors, and the talents of renowned Italian chef Roberto Radoni. Known for his expertise and love for authentic pizza, Radoni’s guest appearance at the hotel added a touch of authenticity and passion to the event that had guests coming back for more.
A seasoned chef with over three decades of experience in high-profile hotels and restaurants across Europe and London, Chef Radoni’s journey began in Calabria, Italy, where he first picked up a spatula at the age of 14. Growing up in a family where food was at the heart of everything, Radoni’s passion for cooking ignited at an early age. His career took him across the UK and Europe, where he built a reputation for creating truly authentic pizzas. Inspired by his love for the perfect pizza, Chef Radoni founded his own street-food business; The Gorilla Kitchen, even converting a shipping container into a mobile pizza kitchen. His commitment to serving the best street food earned him multiple accolades, including the Olive Magazine Chef Awards 2019 Best Street Food Chef, The Observer Food Monthly Awards Runner-Up in 2019, and a finalist at the Italian Awards 2019.
For this special occasion, Chef Radoni brought his signature wood-fired pizzas to Mount Lavinia Hotel, showcasing authentic Italian flavors that left guests in awe. The pop-up restaurant, set up at the hotel’s picturesque beachside venue “The Little Hut,” was transformed into a charming rustic pizzeria, complete with a cozy ambiance and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pizzas. The event was a true celebration of the art of pizza-making, offering a unique experience for guests who got to taste some of the finest pizzas in Sri Lanka.
A Taste of Authenticity
Guests were treated to a special selection of appetizers and pizzas that embodied the essence of Italian flavors. Some of the highlights included:
Appetizers:
- Caprese Salad
- Insalata Mista
- Pollo Tonnato
Signature Pizzas:
- La Reine Pizza: Fresh button mushrooms, black olives, oregano, garlic oil, cooked ham, mozzarella, and plum tomato.
- Vesuvio Pizza: Spicy salami, pepperoni, hot pork sausage, chili, mozzarella, plum tomato, and topped with rocket leaves.
- Summer Garden Pizza: Marinated char-grilled artichokes, zucchini, and Sicilian sun-dried tomatoes.
- Leanne Pizza: Garlic, oregano, zucchini, button mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spicy salami, mozzarella, and fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Hot Chili Cheese Pizza: Mozzarella, plum tomato, green chili, and fresh basil.
- Marinara Pizza: Chopped garlic, wild oregano, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.
- Margarita Pizza: Mozzarella, oregano, plum tomato, and fresh basil.
- Napoli Pizza: Mozzarella, plum tomato, oregano, black olives, anchovy, basil, and rocket leaves.
Each pizza, crafted by Chef Radoni himself, was a masterpiece, with flavors that transported guests straight to Italy. The combination of fresh ingredients, the wood-fired oven, and Radoni’s expert touch ensured that every bite was nothing short of extraordinary.
A Success to Remember
The hotel’s Chief Operating Officer, Anura Dewapura, expressed great satisfaction with the event’s success, remarking, “The celebration of World Pizza Day was a hit! We’re proud to have had Chef Radoni showcase his incredible pizza-making skills at Mount Lavinia Hotel. We are committed to offering our guests unique experiences, we have many more exciting themed events lined up, where we’ll continue to bring together authentic flavors, high-quality food, wine, and culture. This is the type of experience we want to scale up in the future, creating memorable moments for all our guests.”
As the event closed, guests were left with full stomachs, happy hearts, and a renewed appreciation for authentic Italian cuisine. Mount Lavinia Hotel has proven once again that it is not just a place to stay—it is a destination for extraordinary experiences, where food, culture, and ambiance come together in perfect harmony.