A pizza business has swapped cardboard boxes and a garden pop-up for plates and a kitchen residency at a Golden Triangle pub.

Luca La Bella, 33, from Cringleford, bought a tabletop pizza oven during lockdown in 2020, offering takeaways to family and friends.

Their reaction encouraged him to start his own business, so, along with his wife Gina, he turned his garage into a preparation kitchen. 

Eastern Daily Press: Luca La Bella stretching the dough in his new kitchen space Picture: Sonya DuncanLuca La Bella stretching the dough in his new kitchen space Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

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The next step was to convert a horsebox and Luca Pizza launched in May 2021, serving authentic wood-fired pizzas at venues in and around Norwich. 

This has included a regular pop-up in the garden at The Warwick Arms in Warwick Street since September 2022, when the pub was taken on by Briony and Nick De'Ath.  

Eastern Daily Press: Luca La Bella putting on the toppings for a Margherita pizza Picture: Sonya DuncanLuca La Bella putting on the toppings for a Margherita pizza Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Mr La Bella said: "I already had a good relationship with the pub, so when they brought up the idea to take over the kitchen I couldn't miss the opportunity.

"I have kitted it out with a pizza oven and the feedback from customers so far has been wonderful." 

Eastern Daily Press: The new pizza oven in the kitchen at The Warwick Arms Picture: Sonya DuncanThe new pizza oven in the kitchen at The Warwick Arms Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

His pizzas range from a classic Margherita to The Italian with Milano salami, pepperoni, prosciutto cotto and parmesan.

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Eastern Daily Press: Luca La Bella first brought his horsebox to The Warwick Arms in September 2022 Picture: Sonya DuncanLuca La Bella first brought his horsebox to The Warwick Arms in September 2022 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Vegan cheese and homemade dips are also available, with orders made through scanning a QR code. 

Luca Pizza is very much a family affair as his dad Joe, who is from Sicily, is his business partner and his brother Lorenzo now runs the horsebox. 

Eastern Daily Press: A Margherita pizza from Luca Pizza Picture: Sonya DuncanA Margherita pizza from Luca Pizza Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Mr La Bella added: "Being in the kitchen means I am protected from the elements and I also have space to manoeuvre and eventually expand the menu."

Luca Pizza is at The Warwick Arms from Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 9pm.

It is also at the Trafford Arms on Tuesdays and The Leopard on Thursdays at the same times - enquire about private hire at lucapizza.co.uk