A Bromley man is bringing authentic wood-fired pizzas to Bromley Common.

James Hopkins, 25, opened The Fireball in Chatterton Road on in late March, complete with a giant wood-fired oven that cooks pizzas at 400 degrees before customers’ eyes.

The project has taken James – supported by his parents Paul and Lucy – three years to bring together.

He said: “We’ve felt for some time that there’s a growing market for community based eateries that can provide simple, high quality food at affordable prices – and pizza is the perfect product.”

Since graduating from King’s College London with a law degree in 2011, James managed a hot food stall at Borough Market and has spent time in Naples and working at one of the US’ most acclaimed pizzerias, 2 Amys in Washington DC.


MORE FOOD AND DRINK:


He said: “We’re confident that by using high quality, carefully sourced ingredients – along with spending  painstaking time and effort to produce great dough – that there’s a real niche to fill.”

He added: “Our efforts go beyond our pizza for which we prepare the dough from scratch every day; all our bread and ice cream is also made on the premises. In addition, we’ll look to add to our craft beers and drinks menu as we gauge more accurately what people like and want.”

James has also got some great expertise in his corner, in the form of Michele Lucci, who was runner up in the 2013 World Pizza Championships.

He said: “It takes time master a wood fired oven – and fresh dough is a living product which is not always entirely predictable. That’s part of the daily challenge.”

Go to fireballpizza.co.uk

News Shopper:

Pizza chef Michele Lucci gets to grips with the giant wood-fired oven

News Shopper:

Michele Lucci, James Hopkins and Lucy Hopkins.

News Shopper:
News Shopper:

News Shopper:

News Shopper:

Owner James Hopkins