New taste of an old classic

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Aviano Airmen will soon receive a new dining option from the La Bella Vista club; freshly cooked pizza made from a newly-installed oven. The club will formally start offering pizza in the club menu starting Sept. 13.

Additionally, the pizza will be offered during lunch hours starting Tues, Sep. 24, for dine in or carry out.

This program was initiated by Giovanni Lepore, 31st Force Support Squadron complex manager, who said a similar service was very successful while he was stationed at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and that he would like to see the same thing happen at Aviano.

"Airmen will benefit a lot from this program as it is close to where they live and it's our very own creation, in a way we hope this helps build morale as well," said Lepore.

Other than Anthony's Pizza, located at the Exchange, the LBV will be the second option Airmen have to curb their pizza craving.

"The pizza program will benefit Airmen because it is very accessible and affordable," said Capt. Maritzel Castrellon, 31st FSS sustainment services flight commander. "The Club is located almost across the street from the dorms, where Airmen can either walk or drive a short distance, and our prices will be lower than the restaurants off base."

Round pizzas will vary from $8.00-10.00, while square pizzas will cost a dollar more, but will be used more for catered events.

To help accommodate Airmen, the LBV staff is developing a delivery service to be used in the future.

Mary Ann Lauro, 31st FSS chef and kitchen manager, has made it clear that they will take unusual topping requests such as eggplant, zucchini, and even french fries, to try and accommodate customers.

"We are looking for great opportunities to serve our Aviano Community and the new pizza business will definitely serve that purpose," said Castrellon. "Our pizza isn't the regular Italian pizza you find off base and it's not American style pizza either, it's our very own unique creation, which we hope will please everyone."

Lauro, who will be making the pizza menu, says the pizza has a nice cheese blend; she adds a little olive oil and oregano and only uses fresh vegetables. Currently, the club's pizza menu consists of cheese, meat lovers and margherita pizza, in small and medium sizes. She hopes to make a variety of pizzas such as spinach ricotta, white cheese, and pineapple and ham pizza.

Due to the conveyor belt style oven, Lauro can cook up to five pizzas in about 17 minutes.

"We need to start off with simple pizzas first to get the customer's reaction to it, we want to get a feel of what the people on base want" said Lauro. "The taste is very flavorful and everyone who has tried it so far has loved it."