Stefano La Vecchia and his crew rolled into the Anuga exhibition fairgrounds in Köln in a big way, literally, aboard the frozen food company’s jet black Toni Toni Pizza Truck. What better way to showcase and serve the Galileo Delicious World menu than from a mobile kitchen parked at its stand in Hall 4.1.
Stefano La Vecchia and his wife Bärbel welcome visitors to the Galileo stand and the Toni Toni Pizza Truck at the Anuga trade fair in Köln.“This year we are a little bit more Italian-American, which provides us with a platform to move in most any direction,” said the managing director, whose big American food truck typically caters to customers in Föhern and Trier-Euren when not at the Koelnmesse. It also sets up shop at festivals, concerts and special events not too distant from the Galileo factory in Trierweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, near the German border with Luxembourg in the Moselle wine region.
Emblazoned on the front bumper of the truck in white letters is the message: “Save the Earth! It’s the only Planet with Pizza!” On the right side of the trendy meals on wheels vehicle is a Ron Jon Surf Shop sticker. When it comes to selling pizza, Galileo Lebensmittel has ridden a wave of “endless summer” innovations since its founding in 1993.
Low Carb Mini Pizza
Cauliflower base Low Carb Mini Pizza is the latest offering in a wide range of products that runs the gamut from Pizzas Buns and Wraps to Mini Burgers, Piadina, Bruschetta and other finger food and snack specialties. In sync with the company’s food truck theme, Streetfood Heroes sub-brand Pizza Nacho and Pizza Indian Chicken have been launched, along with three Flatbread treats filled respectively with pulled beef, kebab-style chicken, vegetables and sour cream sauce, and a grilled vegetable and cheese blend.
Galileo, which is very much a producer of retail private labels, looks upon the Toni Toni excursion as a good way to test drive new product ideas and get direct feedback from the consumers its feeds. Irene Weiler manages the catering operation.
“Our street food concept thrives on the concept of exceptional product creations. This is why we are always looking for new ideas and ways to reinterpret traditional pizza,” said La Vecchia, who has run the business with his sister Manuela and wife Bärbel for 24 years.
The big American truck’s menu selection features plenty of pizza, flatbread sandwiches, mozzarella bowls and garden salads, soft drinks, beer and espresso. Pizza toppings include classic Margherita (tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil), spinach and feta, ham and mushroom, tuna and onions, prosciutto and rucola, chorizo and pineapple, vegetables, and more.
Galileo currently sells about 30% of its output to customers outside of Germany, primarily to other European countries. It aims to increase exports to the United States next year, while also focusing on opportunities in Australia and beyond.
“The world of food is full of local treasures – unmistakable original recipes that reflect countries, people and passion,” said La Vecchia. “We love to discover and perfect them for home enjoyment. The fact is that, as a family-run enterprise with Italian roots, we devote particular attention to Mediterranean cuisine. That additionally fires our own passion.”
These days the passion is decidedly Italian-American, with a pinch of Indian and Mexican flavor added to spice things up. Mangia! – Reported by John Saulnier
