Pizza Emergency? Vero Amore wood fired pizza engine to the rescue!!!
For immediate release, September 13, 2011Tucson, AZ
What boy doesn't want to own a fire truck? Well, Josh Mussman, 27 has made that desire a reality. From bidding on fire trucks two years ago to having his very own one “wrapped” last month, it has been a wild ride.
It all started when catering customers of Vero Amore said “we love having your pasta, panini and salad, but we want your pizza as well.” Because of Vero Amore's certification as authentic Neapolitan pizza makers, the only pizza that could be offered outside the restaurants was at private homes with wood fired pizza ovens. They cannot deliver pizza and even discourage customers from taking it out unless it will be eaten immediately. “Pizza coming from an 800+ degree oven is not made to go into a box”, brother and co owner, Aric says.
In the summer of 2009, Josh started bidding on engines all over the country and eventually nabbed one in January 2010. He and a fire captain friend from Northwest Fire flew out to Fairfax County Virginia in the dead of winter and drove the fire truck to a St. Louis factory.
Once in St. Louis, a friend from Dove Mountain retrofitted the truck for catering at his factory. The wood fired oven was delivered from California, and a commercial refrigerator, freezer and diesel generator were installed requiring upgraded electrical systems. After months of work, the truck was put on an even larger truck bound for Tucson. Now came the plumbing - hand washing sinks and fresh water and grey water systems. And a special oven flue, shelves for the wood, refrigerated pizza station and prep tables were installed, as well as a fancy steel façade for the oven! Friends and customers of the restaurants did all the work - it truly was a community effort.
The Vero Amore Engine was a huge hit at its Tucson debut at the “Puttin on the Dog” Humane Society fundraiser. “The oven makes really good pizza”, Josh said, “good enough to be certified”. If that is done with the certifying agency, Verace Pizza Napoletana, it will be the first authentic Neapolitan pizza truck in the world! Vero Amore, already certified, makes their dough fresh several times a day and their mozzarella and sauce fresh daily as well and provides their quality ingredients to the truck.
But don't expect to see this truck at every “fire.” Because of operating expenses, it will be brought out only for “4 alarm” events and private parties. Check it out at the Northwest Firefighters Home Brew Challenge on October 22 and the 4th Ave. Street Fair this December. And, it is already booked for Josh's 10th high school reunion in May. Or, have your own barn-burner-of-a-party! Go online at veroamorepizza.com or call Suzanne at 520-954-8018.
