Col’Cacchio pizzeria is famous for its delectable menu of pizzas, pastas, salads and more. They are also well-known for their Celebrity Chef Series campaign, which has been running since 2007. The Celebrity Chef Series stemmed from Col’Cacchio pizzeria’s desire to give back to communities through a medium they love, food. Three well-known chefs from around the country have each created a pizza that they feel represents their journey with food; all of which will run as a part of the summer menu. R5 from the sale of each and every Celebrity Chef Series pizza will be donated to a charitable cause.

Since inception, this amazing campaign has raised over R1,8m in aid of worthy causes.

So, as a consumer, you sit down to enjoy your choice of pizza from the Celebrity Chef Series; you enjoy its crisp thin base and wood-fired goodness, knowing that a part of the money you’re paying for is going towards a very worthy cause. But who exactly is benefiting from this contribution? This year the money will benefit The Children’s Hospital Trust, which advances child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial’s Children’s Hospital. 100% of the funds raised by The Children’s Hospital Trust go towards improving facilities and care for patients, not a cent goes towards administration of any kind.

The fundraising done through projects such as the Celebrity Chef Series is of vital importance; it ensures that while children are in the care of the hospital, they are in the best possible environment for fighting their illnesses and getting well.

For many who are of school going age, lying in a hospital bed can be tedious and boring, but with the help of volunteers they are kept busy and motivated. There are good days and bad days but through it all, loving staff, caring play therapy volunteers and many more, ensure that these children have the best chance possible of getting well and returning to childhood. That alone is reason enough to support this amazing cause.

Each year Col’Cacchio pizzeria approaches celebrity chefs to take part in the Celebrity Chef Series, and this year three decorated local chefs are taking part – namely Claire Allen, Neill Anthony and Zola Nene. This means there are three totally unique and delicious pizzas coming our way. We catch up with the third celebrity chef in the series, Neill Anthony, to find out a bit more about him and his pizza creation.

Meet Neill Anthony

Neill may be the iconic private chef of Cape Town, but he’s certainly no ‘one-trick-pony’. His TV series Private Chef is due to air its third season shortly and he was recently on our screens again as a  judge on South Africa’s series of Top Chef. Neill is no wall flower and his pizza, dubbed ‘The Private Chef’, comprises a crème fraîche and spinach base, mozzarella, marinated Asian chicken, topped with a truffle-infused Asian mayonnaise, crispy leeks, basil and Parmesan shavings.

It’s been a very busy year for you, how did you find inspiration for your pizza?

By chatting to those around me about what they enjoy on pizza and then looking at what I like about pizza, then adding these together and ta da…The Private Chef Pizza was born.

What do you love most about Col’cacchio’s celebrity chef series?

Pizza for a great cause is what’s so awesome about this campaign.

Other than your own, what is your favourite pizza topping?

Bacon and avo.

What can we expect to see from you in 2017?

My very first cookbook, Private Chef Season 3, the Good Food and Wine Show and more.

What would be your last meal on earth (other than pizza, of course)?

Stuffed pig’s trotters.

What is your favourite summer tipple?

Sparkling water – ice cold.

See the Col Cacchio Pizzeria Portrait Series I and Series II here.

colcacchio.co.za | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram