Brian of Pizzaspotz
I don’t remember exactly how I met Oli from the Argentinian Pizza Supper Club in Shoreditch. I think he followed me on Twitter but I wish we’d met while he was serving me pizza. Unfortunately, I’m in Texas USA and he’s in London. I must get to London more often. One of the first places I’ll visit is his supper club. It’s getting rave reviews and when you read all about it (links provided below), the place just seems filled with fun, friendship, great tasting food and great music. Learn more in this interview about the chef Oli, the singer Oli, the busboy Oli and the cashier Oli. He is as he says, “a one man band.”
Now onto the interview with Oli, owner of the Argentinian Pizza Supper Club in Shoreditch
Oli, can you tell our readers about the origins of your Pizza Supper Club in Shoreditch? What was the spark that started his weekly happening?
I had just moved to London and I was going a lot to Shoreditch, to walk the area basically. One day I decided to take an alternative route and I found this hidden cafe. I asked to see the possibility of running an art exhibition for a friend, and this person who received me, introduced me to Roy Ballentine, the Cafe Commune’s owner. We became friends. Then, I was running these creative meetings for the artist, very informal ones by the way. I wanted to meet other artist or musicians or poets like me, so one day I asked Roy if I could organize a gig in the place for my friends and do a pizza party. He suggested why not do a supperclub, a proper one, and that’s how I started! The first one was for my friends, because I needed to test my skills and timing, and after the first one, it became a weekly thing.
You probably could’ve begun the Pizza Supper Club in any London neighborhood, why did you choose Shoreditch?
Well, firstly because I had this connection with the owner, in a friendly atmosphere. So, why not? Besides that, I was lucky enough to find such a central place in N1.
For someone who has not visited a pop up restaurant, can you explain how the entire concept works? For example, if you are only open on Saturday nights, do you rent the space once a week or do you use the Pizza Supper Club space for other events?
Yes. Its only on Saturdays, but sometimes, and especially after getting reviewed by Time Out London as one of the best pop up restaurants in London to visit, I had to add some Fridays due to high demand LOL! But, basically its a one-day event, a proper pop up. If you go to the venue when we are not doing the Pizza Supper Club, you will find it quite different, the ambiance, disposition of the tables, everything.
A supper club is a trendy social experience, like pop ups, especially in London. Basically, you buy an all-inclusive ticket, and then you go, you eat and you have fun. Its a great opportunity to meet really interesting and creative people. I prepare pizzas which are original recipes from Argentina, so unique & hand made. A perfect combination. Our added value is that I also perform live music during the evening.
Tickets are all inclusive, meal, wine, entertainment. Where can people buy tickets and how fast do the tickets sell out?
I am using Edible Experiences website for the ticketing service. So basically with this link people can search in www.edibleexperiences.com for Argentinian Pizza Supper Club and they will get to my profile page or if they found me in twitter with @pizzasupperclub they will see the link in my profile description as well =) Next move is our own website, we are working on that.
How long does an evening last at the Pizza Supper Club in Shoreditch? Basically, what time do you stop playing guitar and singing?
We start between 8 pm and at 8:15 p.m. without any exception I start introducing myself, the supper club, telling why I decided to call it the “Argentinian Pizza Supper Club”, I talk about our pizza traditions in Argentina and five minutes later I start serving the home made starters.
Then I serve the other two courses and we do a little pause, for the live music. Dessert is served before 10.30 pm, it depends on that day rhythm you know? But we can say it finishes at 10.30 pm. People can stay talking and drinking if they want but I always close at 11 pm.
So, it’s about two hours and a half for the entire event, most of the time.
In a typical pizza restaurant, one would employ busboys, host or hostess, chef, etc. Are you a one man show or do you employ others to help make each night a success?
I am a one man band dude! How cool is that? 8-)
The thing is I’m cooking as when I cook for my friends. Food is about giving something to somebody you love, at least in my case. In a way, I do love them because they are allowing me to do what I love: food but especially music, as I have plenty free time during the week, see my point? So, I prefer to do smaller events and having an intimate atmosphere in which we can see our eyes while we talk, does it makes sense?
How many different pizzas do you make? What types? And how are they different from traditional pizza one would find in London?
You will have to come to my supper club to ckeck it out! I explain the difference and why in fact we can talk about an “argentinian” pizza muajajaja
Do you have many Argentinians who have found the Pizza Supper Club?
We are not a niche market, so basically I attract people who want to spend a great night with something different, but yes, some of them are Argentinians but, to be honest, you wont find that many in a night.
Before opening the Pizza Supper Club, had you worked at other London restaurants or restaurants in Argentina?
I’ve been cooking since I was a little child, with my father who was divorced, so it was our fun and very interesting thing to do on weekends and then during the week as well, but I never studied the technique. I’ve just been doing it since that long and with passion and heart. I never worked, luckily, in any food place before. I am pure!
You opened in September 2013, have you had any regulars show up nearly every Saturday night for the fun, the food and the singing?
Some of my beloved customers come once, for example, with a group of friends, or with their couples, and then vice versa: they come with different people or with their couples, yes, it happens from time to time. Also I’m getting hired sometimes for private events, so, i would say yes.
How would you describe your music and do you sell your music at the restaurant or online?
Yes and no… I had a project but I’m working on a new one, completely different, so I’m selling my old one, which I’m not interested to be honest in promoting any longer. I was doing music for the wrong motivation, but don’t get me wrong, I like what I did, it was very well received in Argentina for the critics and newspapers, but I’m moving to something different now.
My music is indie folk, soulful, and I also play some rock and roll with plenty rhythm. Its a mix.
Do you have future plans to open on other nights or to open a pop up restaurant in other London neighborhoods?
Yes, I’m planning a bigger event, completely different to what I am doing now, a very special edition to do from time to time. We are working on that and building a team because for that I will need friendly help.
Finally, what is one thing people do not know about you but would be amazed to find out?
That I am damn sexy with all my tattoos! (thats what girl customers usually say, I’m sorry lol)
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Thanks Oli for telling us all about the Argentinian Pizza Supper Club in Shoreditch.
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