Eating on site will be popular once the weather warms up, but for now you can take it with you. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Fabio Vinai of Five Passions Bakery has been a fixture of local markets like the Haig Park Village markets for several years and has now opened a pizza food truck, Five Passions Pizza.
Parked outside the Croatian club in Turner, Five Passions Pizza joins Tacontento’s taco truck and Jangdokdae’s Korean fried chicken truck in the growing street food community.
I first spied the pizza truck from the windows of the bus on my way into work last week and quickly found an excuse to visit.
Upon arrival, I had barely opened my mouth to ask Fabio if he would like to be interviewed when I found myself being questioned: “What’s your name? Do you live around here? Is this your first time trying our pizza?”
Clearly Fabio is a people person and he is excited to be a part of the local community!
He’s looking forward to getting to know the neighbours, as it were. A family – kids keeping warm in “oodies” and ugg boots – had also come down to try out the truck for dinner and were chatting happily with Fabio.
Friendly Fabio Vinai is excited to get to know his neighbours and create a community with his pizza truck. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The menu features a small list of classic toppings, but you can also ask Fabio to change things up for you. I chose classic margherita, spicy diavola and primavera pizzas to share with friends.
The compact truck has three small gas-fired pizza ovens, which cook the bases to perfection in a flash, with a few expert spins from Fabio to ensure an even char. He was working solo the night I visited, but was happy to chat as he stretched the dough and spread toppings.
Back in the warmth of my own home, my mates and I split the pizzas among us. The thin bases were chewy and soft, with perfect char.
I reckon you can judge a pizzeria on the quality of their margherita and this one is a winner, with the perfect spread of cheese with slightly sweet and tangy tomato base. The spicy salami and olives of the diavola are perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat and the fresh rocket on the primavera came with a generous topping of prosciutto.
I’m told Fabio also sells handmade gnocchi, but he had sold out that night: an excuse to visit again!
You can also order your pizza online to avoid waiting in the cold and the team is working on a delivery option soon.
Cold nights will likely keep folks indoors for a while, but I’m excited to see more people enjoying the food trucks when the weather warms up. They’re in a great spot for people using the nearby bike path, or coming home from ANU or the city.
Punters at The Polo next door could pop out for something during a break between bands and you can also sit outside Jangdokdae and enjoy a beer from inside the Croatian club. It’s a clever way to enliven what was otherwise a parking lot, but has the potential to become a community gathering place.
The Five Passions truck is also available for catering jobs and events and Fabio can still be found at markets around town slinging pizzas and focaccia sandwiches.
The truck has been “soft launching” over the past few weeks and will likely make small changes to menu and opening hours: if the pizza light is on, they’re open!
Five Passions Pizza is at 68 McCaughey Street Turner. They are open Tuesday to Friday from 5 to 8:30 pm. Follow Five Passions Pizza on Instagram, and Five Passions Bakery on Facebook or Instagram. See the menu and order your pizza on the website.
