Be prepared. There will always be one Weisenheimer who will ask you that question when they get to the front of your already long line. So how do you handle this? One of our clever oven owners said to “throw pepperoni at them.”
Don’t do this.
What you can do is have a few extra items in your repertoire to unveil at any event – whether it’s a mobile retail event, a catered setting, or a pop-up farmer’s market. There are many items you can make with your oven that are easy, adds to your menu, and can make you stand out against all the other pizza joints around…
HOT SANDWICHES
One of the best things about a wood-fired oven is the distinct flavor the wood and smoke give to the food. Imagine having a sandwich that you could finish-off in the oven? Add some cheese to a meatball sub and let it quickly melt in the oven for 30seconds before you serve it to your customer.
Halving a pre-cooked sausage link and toasting it on a hoagie in your oven for 30 seconds is a tasty meal as well. You can use your already existing pizza sauce as dressing on the sandwich as well!
SOUPS
During the fall and winter months, many of our oven owners still operate all week. Some work inside the large Cucina models, and some brave the elements. One trend that has started to take root with customers is the ability to have a nice hot soup during these months. Preparing a soup ahead of time is easy work. Many of us have a favorite “go-to” soup that we love to make for ourselves and share with others. Placing your blend into a cast-iron pot and warming it in the oven will be a savory addition to the lunch crowd who comes to you for food.
SALADS
Wait. What?
Yes, you read that correctly. Salads. You see, you can prepare a variety of items beforehand to use on a salad. Pre-cooking meats such as chicken, fish or steak in your oven will provide a wonderful flavor when you add it to a bed of arugula with a sprinkle of goat cheese. The menu just became something to rival any five-star restaurant!
ALL THE OTHER THINGS
There is no limit to the number of different menu items and combinations you can create in your oven. You can be the only mobile wood-fired pizza business in your area that also serves wood-fired quesadillas, chicken wings, roasted brussel sprouts or bar fries! One crafty wood-fired pizza maker used a conical mold to shape his pizza dough into an ice cream cone shape and filled it with pizza makings!
