Businnes Philosophy

ITALICO STREET FOOD plays a unique role in the casual dining world, setting itself apart from any other approach currently on the market. Take pizza for instance – while several establishments attempt to recreate this iconic Italian dish, the results largely fail to capture the product’s fundamental essence and staple qualities. Others instead  pledge to offer Italian products, but what is served are merely muddled imitations or distorted of authentic Italian recipes. A plethora of reasons can be cited to explain such failed attempts. One glaring concern arises from the sourcing of raw materials outside of Italy for logistical or commercial purposes. Products originating outside recognised and certified geographical areas  can only remotely compare in flavour and quality to those cultivated in designated terroirs under time-honoured techniques. At ITALICO, raw materials are selected with meticulous attention, representing the best Italian producers and brands have to offer. Any potential cause for quality loss or deviation from the authentic and unmistakable Italian tasteis are dealt with firmly and eliminated a priori. Only the most refined raw materials, 100% Made in Italy, make it to ITALICO’s kitchens and menus. Flavour quality is ensured without compromise, discarding any second choice or alteration. Let us take another concrete example: cheese and cured meats. In countries beyond Italy’s borders, products enter the market by appropriating specific Italian-sounding names. However, even when derived from the same cuts, they absolutely cannot be associated with the genuine Italian product. The specificity lies precisely in the production and aging techniques carried out in unique microclimates, found only in the Apennine peninsula. There is no playing around when it comes to food. ITALICO is relentlessly determined to offer the authentic, unaltered Italian taste. Only the very best ingredients are used to ensure the customers’ experience equals travelling to the specific region of each product. No detail is left to chance! Water, commonly used in dough preparation, may seem the simplest ingredient. However, its chemical-physical and organoleptic characteristics can significantly modify a product’s quality and taste. This is just one aspect separating a mediocre or average product from one that is… authentic, extraordinary! This is the difference between an original and a copy, between Made in Italy and all others. Only the purest water meeting specific values and chemical parameters is used during raw materials processing at ITALICO. The consistency of pizza dough, for example varies greatly depending on the water type – its acidity, purity, and hardness are critical factors impacting taste and flavour. Water hardness, describing the calcium and magnesium ion content, alters a product’s genuine, original flavour if levels are imbalanced. Temporary hardness due to bicarbonates, and permanent hardness from chlorides, sulphates and nitrates are critical factors impacting taste and flavour – yet often neglected or underestimated even by the most experienced professional pizza makers. To measure acidity, ITALICO’s engineers test the pH of the water supply. Hard water with higher alkalinity than soft water can decrease yeast activity in doughs. Careful monitoring and adjusting of these water properties ensures optimal flavour development in ITALICO’s iconic dishes. All ITALICO’s locations invest in advanced water purification systems. Crucially, this step also enhances the quality of beverages prepared in our authentic Italian Espresso Bars, for immaculate coffee experiences. ITALICO is also the only casual dining chain worldwide to employ an in-house team of food chemists. The chemist team investigates aspects related to qualitative-quantitative characterisation, organoleptic features, conditioning methods, conservation techniques, and processing – ensuring that the final product presented is impeccable in quality and taste, providing the genuine flavour that only an authentic Italian product can transmit. Other essential aspects concern personnel training and product preparation. ITALICO aims to create the best, casual street food experience in the world, relying not on mere ‘food operators’, but highly qualified personnel to prepare gastronomic specialities. Unlike other chains in the informal food service industry, where staff receive minimal training, all ITALICO chefs and pizzaiuolo regularly undertake courses on filling and seasoning techniques, to continuously enhancing their mastery and present simply excellent products. In ITALICO’s philosophy, ‘eating’ transcends  satisfying a physiological need. It is a ‘ritual’  involving mind and body, giving life to a compelling sensory experience. The apex – the ultimate enjoyment – does not occur just through satiety but through pathos, a stimulation of intense emotions, mental and sensory.

Eating activates the five senses:

sight, observing the food’s appeal;

touch, feeling its forms and textures;

smell, encountering the aromas and scents;

hearing, perceiving the crunch or sizzle;

taste, savouring the flavours.

To revel in a unique sensory experience, the culinary creation before you must set in motion this full manifestation of the five senses.

ITALICO’s mission:

Rather than another fast-food product, we want you to indulge, fuss-free, in a gastronomic work of art with the power to awaken the most intense emotions through total sensory involvement, unleashing an irresistible need to satisfy your appetite.