An one-time Olympic horse rider has combined his passions to launch a tasty new treat for Swindon.

Andrea Verdina was born in Milan but has called Wiltshire home for the last 10 years.

During lockdown, he converted one of his horse boxes into a pizzeria and says he is now onto a winner.

Swindon Advertiser: Andrea makes all of his pizzas using fresh ingredients.Andrea makes all of his pizzas using fresh ingredients. (Image: Andrea Verdina)

“I’m Italian so naturally I love good food and this is very important to me,” said Andrea, who competed for Italy at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“I started it for fun during lockdown when I converted one of my old horse boxes into a pizzeria.

“Business is growing and growing now three years on and we now have a second horse trailer on the go."

Swindon Advertiser: The mobile pizzeria has been a huge hit with Wiltshire residents.The mobile pizzeria has been a huge hit with Wiltshire residents. (Image: Andrea Verdina)

The 53-year-old is aiming to move his Pizzeria Italiana operation into Swindon after previously making pizza in and around the town.

“The dream is to return to Swindon as I went to Tadpole Garden Village before and got a great response,” said Andrea.

“It was really popular there and people say that they want it to come back.”

Swindon Advertiser: Andrea repainted his horse trailer to be able to create his mobile pizzeria.Andrea repainted his horse trailer to be able to create his mobile pizzeria. (Image: Andrea Verdina)

Tradition remains key to Andrea’s business and he prides himself on providing freshly made food for the Wiltshire community.

“It is all fresh including the dough and people here like how it is made in the true Italian way,” he said.

“I say it is the best pizza this side of Naples!”

Swindon Advertiser: Andrea makes a whole host of different pizzas using traditional Italian methods.Andrea makes a whole host of different pizzas using traditional Italian methods. (Image: Andrea Verdina)

Andrea also provided a definitive answer when pressed on the age-old debate over whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza.

“No it does not as it’s not for the Italians,” he said.

“If you give an Italian a pineapple when making pizza they throw it back at you!”

Swindon Advertiser: Andrea's business is hired to cater for events across Wiltshire.Andrea's business is hired to cater for events across Wiltshire. (Image: Andrea Verdina)

Andrea and his team of helpers, some of whom hail from Swindon, operate one trailer which has a woodfire oven as well as a second trailer that features two gas ovens.

Pizzas cost from between £10 and £13 depending on ingredients and size, with both 10 and 12 inch pizzas available.

“It is hard work as I make everything myself fresh on the day but my team help me and it is very fun to do on the side of the horses,” said Andrea.