Pizzaiolo takes on Greene King Pub Partners site

11-May-2022 - Last updated on 11-May-2022 at 09:38 GMT

Expanding UK hospitality businesses: Pizzaiolo Claude Camilleri (pictured) takes on first business in the UK with joint investment from Greene King Pub Partners

A renowned chef specialising in Italian cuisine has taken on his first pub in the UK following a £300,000 joint investment with Greene King Pub Partners.

Pizzaiolo Claude Camilleri, whose pizzas have previously been ranked in the Worldwide Pizza guide La Enciclopedia Della Pizza, has taken on his first hospitality business in the UK, the Old Mill in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, having operated two well-known pizzerias, called Margos, in Malta for more than 17 years.

Maximise revenue

Camilleri said: “When I visited Berkhamsted before, I fell in love with the Old Mill pub. As soon as the opportunity came to take it on, I just knew I had to pounce on it.

“Our joint investment with Greene King Pub Partners has enabled us to bring in the state-of-the-art kitchen equipment we need to serve our pizza. It has also enabled us to repurpose some of the pub’s space into a deli and bakery, so we can maximise alternative revenue streams for the pub business.”

The pub is expected to serve the same authentic Neapolitan pizza as Claude’s pizzeria business in Malta, but with an English twist by using organic buffalo mozzarella from Hampshire and charcuterie, including hams and sausages, all prepared at the pub using British pork and beef.

Expanding hospitality businesses

Furthermore, the Old Mill will also serve a range of beers including Birra Moretti as well as Icebreaker Pale Ale, Amstel, Orchard Thieves Cider, Guinness, and cask ales alongside a range of non-alcoholic serves and spirits, including Limoncello, as well as all but one of its wine offerings coming from European vineyards so as to best compliment the food.

Managing director for Greene King Pub Partners Wayne Shurvinton said: “Partnering with the best operators and helping them to create a great pub business is what we are all about. Claude’s record and success speaks for itself and its great to be working with him.

“It is great to see entrepreneurs from outside the UK like Claude choosing the British pub, and Greene King Pub Partners, to expand their hospitality businesses abroad.”