Ben Tish to collaborate on fast-casual pizza concept Gallio
Described as 'the first entry into the fast-casual dining market' for DOMA Hospitality, which is part of luxury hospitality group BHL Global that owns The Stafford London hotel where Tish is culinary director, Gallio is set to initially launch as a delivery-only kitchen in south east London in mid-August.
There are subsequent plans to open a full-service restaurant in central London, as well as a further three delivery kitchens, by the end of 2021.
Gallio 'is inspired by the natural and nutritious Mediterranean diet', with a focus on the 'diversity of flavours and ingredients found in the region'.
The menu, developed in collaboration with Tish, will feature a selection of sharing bowls, pizzas, salads and desserts.
Pizzas will be made using a 'signature' artisan base, made from a mix of ancient grains, sea salt, natural yeast, extra virgin olive oil and filtered water. Toppings will include spiced lamb, labneh, rose harissa and pickled chilli; and chestnut mushrooms with olive oil, spinach, Aleppo chilli and pumpkin seeds.
All pizzas will be customisable with add-on ingredients such as: fennel salami, aged Manchego, piquillo peppers, buffalo mozzarella, chorizo, feta, and vegan ‘sheese’.
Pizza prices will start at £6; sharing bowls will cost £5.50 each; small and large salads start from £4 and £7 respectively; and desserts will cost £5 each.
“We are delighted to be bringing Gallio to market this August," says Chantal Nell, who has been appointed operations director by DOMA to launch and manage Gallio.
"We have worked hard on a menu that truly reflects the diverse, vibrant and wholesome flavours of the Med.
"After an unprecedented few months for London and the UK, the demand for freshly prepared, nutritious and delicious food has never been higher and we are confident our ‘feel good’ food and ‘better for you’ pizza will resonate with consumers.
"We are passionate about provenance and quality and can’t wait to bring a slice of the Mediterranean sunshine to Londoners.”
Tish, who joined The Stafford London in 2018 following an 11-year stint at the Salt Yard Group, launched Italian-style restaurant Norma in Fitzrovia last year, which was said at the time to be the first in a potential series of standalone restaurant openings he would oversee in his role as the hotel's culinary director.
