Husband-and-wife team launch new Southern Italian pizzeria in Micklefield
The takeaway is donating 10 per cent of the selling price of every pizza to a Leeds charity
A new independent takeaway bringing authentic southern Italian pizza to Micklefield is set to launch this week.
LocaLino Pizzeria, founded by husband-and-wife team Pasquale Palmisano and Ann Marie Broadhead-Palmisano, will officially open its doors on Friday, October 30.
To mark their launch, the owners have pledged to donate 10 per cent of the selling price of every pizza sold during their first full year of trading to Leeds homelessness charity St George’s Crypt.
The name LocaLino pays homage to Locorotondo, the town in Puglia, Southern Italy, where Pasquale was born and where the couple first met.
Pasquale brings more than 40 years of professional cooking to the kitchen, starting his career aged 14.
He is a member of the Italian school for professional pizza making, Ateneo della Pizza, and previously worked at London restaurants, including Cipriani and Zafferano.
“I was born in Locorotondo, Puglia, where food is such an important part of everyday life,” said Pasquale. “So bringing the flavours of my hometown to Yorkshire through LocaLino is something very special to both of us.”
Co-founder Ann Marie has a long history of community work, having previously served as a volunteer and trustee at St George’s Crypt.
“When Pasquale and I decided to open LocaLino, we wanted to create something that reflected both our passions - his love of authentic Southern Italian food and my belief that businesses can make a positive difference,” she said.
“By donating 10 per cent of the selling price of every pizza to St George’s Crypt for a full year, we want our customers to know that something as simple as enjoying a delicious pizza can also help someone in need.”
LocaLino’s launch event on Friday will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6.30pm, performed by a representative of St George’s Crypt.
Guests attending will be invited to taste a selection of traditional Southern Italian pizzas and vote for their favourites, with the top choices earning a permanent spot on the pizzeria’s menu.
LocaLino Pizzeria is located at 3, Station Houses, Micklefield, Leeds LS25 4AA.