Member Spotlight: Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co.

Great food has a way of bringing people together, and few things do that quite like freshly made pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. Behind Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co. is a passion for hospitality, flavour and creating memorable experiences at events of all kinds.

Founded in 2024 after decades of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry, the business combines traditional wood-fired pizza techniques with a chef’s creativity and attention to detail. From weddings and private parties to corporate events and street-food pop-ups, Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co. brings a relaxed but professional dining experience directly to guests.

We spoke to the founder, Andrew Sutton, about the journey from hospitality professional to pizza specialist, the craft behind their 48-hour fermented dough, and why cooking pizza live at events adds something truly special to any celebration.

How did the business start and what inspired you to launch it in 2024?

For over 30 years I have worked in the Hotel, Restaurant and Hospitality Industry. Pizza has been a part of my culinary career for many years, but back in 2020, I began a journey on which pizza making became more of an obsession. In 2024, and after much thought and many hours of work, Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co. was born.

After purchasing a wood fired oven during the COVID19 lockdown back in 2020, I have spent the last four years perfecting my dough recipe, learning how to use a wood fired oven effectively and sourcing and experimenting with quality ingredients to finally bring something to the table that I’m proud of.

My vast experience in hospitality has allowed me to not only set up and operate a very customer centric business but also use my culinary skills to produce fantastic wood fired pizza. Think of quality wood fired pizza with a Chef’s touch – we combine the traditional with the creative. Our professional approach to everything we do means that you will have a great experience with us from start to finish.

What do you enjoy most about bringing your pizzas to events rather than running a traditional restaurant?

What I enjoy most is the atmosphere and the variety. Every event is different, from relaxed garden parties to big wedding celebrations and being part of those moments is incredibly rewarding. Unlike a restaurant where guests come to you, we bring the experience to them, let them choose the menu they want which makes it much more personal and interactive.

You specialise in weddings, private parties, corporate events and pop-ups. What makes wood-fired pizza such a great choice for these types of occasions?

Wood-fired pizza is perfect for events because it’s sociable, flexible and appeals to almost everyone. Guests love watching their pizzas being made and cooked fresh in front of them, and it works well for both small gatherings and larger crowds. It’s informal enough to keep things relaxed but still feels special and memorable for big occasions like weddings.

Your pizzas are made with a 48-hour slow-fermented dough. Why is that process so important and how does it affect the final pizza?

The 48-hour fermentation process makes a huge difference to both flavour and texture of the finished pizza. Allowing the dough to develop slowly creates a deeper, more complex taste while also making it lighter and easier to digest. It gives the crust that perfect balance, crisp on the outside, soft and airy on the inside, which is exactly what you want from a proper wood-fired pizza.

Guests get to watch the pizzas being hand-stretched and cooked in your wood-fired oven.

How important is the theatre and visual experience when catering events?

It’s a big part of the experience. Food isn’t just about taste; it’s also about the atmosphere around it. Seeing the dough being hand-stretched, the toppings added and the pizza cooking in the wood-fired oven creates a bit of theatre that guests really enjoy. Things move at quite a fast pace particularly for larger events and once were in the flow, it adds energy to the event and often becomes quite a talking point.

You mention using the freshest ingredients. How do you go about sourcing your ingredients and creating your menu?

Quality ingredients are essential when you’re making simple food like pizza. You have to get the basics right. Good dough, good sauce, quality toppings. We focus on sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients and building a menu that highlights great flavours without overcomplicating things.

Wherever possible we work with trusted suppliers and choose ingredients that are seasonal and full of flavour when at their best. We always create at least one carefully curated seasonal pizza during our pop-ups to showcase great flavours and we love using anything local too.

As a chef who understands flavour, I’m not constrained to the traditional pizza flavours and although I offer all the usual suspects, I have some real controversial pizza flavours going on, but put together with skill, they really work.

From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, how do you adapt your service to suit different types of events?

Flexibility is key. For smaller events we can create a more relaxed, personal experience, while for larger celebrations we focus on efficiency and keeping the pizzas flowing so everyone gets served quickly. The menu and service style can be adjusted depending on the event, making sure it works perfectly for the host and their guests.

What do you think sets Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co. apart from other pizza caterers?

There are lots of great pizza makers out there; we focus on authenticity, quality and the overall experience. Everything from the slow-fermented dough to the wood-fired cooking method is about delivering great flavour. At the same time, we aim to make the service friendly and professional while maintaining a relaxed and engaging atmosphere so guests feel part of the experience rather than just being served food.

We like to provide a polished experience from the initial enquiry, all the way through to the process of choosing your menu and then delivering your event to the highest standard. For street-food pop-ups, things are much less formal and more fun, but we always maintain a certain level of professionalism throughout.

Food often plays a big role in bringing people together at events. What does it mean to you to be part of someone’s special day or celebration?

It’s something I never take for granted. Being asked to cater someone’s wedding, party or celebration means you’re part of a really important moment in their lives. Knowing that we are being trusted to deliver a great service and that the food we’re serving helps create a great atmosphere and happy memories is incredibly rewarding.

What kind of experience do you hope guests take away after enjoying your pizzas?

I hope guests leave remembering not just the pizza, but the whole experience, the smell of the wood-fired oven, the energy around the pizza station and the enjoyment of sharing good food with friends and family. If people walk away saying it was one of the highlights of the event, that’s the goal. We get a lot of repeat business and referrals and I think that speaks volumes.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes and plans for the future of Derventio Wood-Fired Pizza Co.?

The focus is on continuing to grow while maintaining the quality and personal service that make the business special. We’d love to cater more weddings, festivals and corporate events, introduce new menu ideas, and keep building a reputation for great wood-fired pizza across the region.

I would never want to grow so big that our quality and personal touch diminishes. A lot of hard work goes into doing things properly and we will continue to push forward. Keep an eye out for us at one of our events or street-food pop-ups!

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