An Aussie lad as an adoptive Italian was not what Brad Ness, co-owner of Magna Pizza, had intended for his future, but a near fatal accident changed all that.
In 1992, Mr Ness lost his foot in a ferry altercation off Rottnest. He would have died had it not been for the quick thinking passengers who administered first aid until help was at hand.
The former Claremont footballer soon discovered a passion for wheelchair basketball which eventually led him to the Sydney Paralympic team.
“I got to a point in my life where I thought, do I stay in basketball or do something new,” he said.
“That’s when Italy came calling and offered me a position playing at an international level.
“They treated me like a rock-star!” he laughs. “Business class fight, chauffeur, luxury hotel . . . ”
First port of call was a pizzeria in Lake Como and Mr Ness was sold.
“This is where my passion for Italian food and culture was born. I realised pizzas differed according to region and they tasted so different to here.”
After 12 years away, Mr Ness returned home with his new wife Giovanna and in 2014 they opened Magna Pizza.
“Our good friends Maurizio Quacquarelli and Francesca Costanza mentored us. We try not to bombard with toppings, but keep the pizzas true to the Italian style.
“We import the buffalo mozzarella and the prosciutto from Italy and we ensure we prove the dough for at least 72 hours which gives it a good rise, crispier finish and is easier on digestion.
“Giovanna makes the desserts and cakes which are inspired by years of working at her aunty’s bakery in Italy.
“The Nutella tiramisu and the panna cotta are our best-sellers, hands-down.”
Magna Pizza is located at The Mantle, 1 James Street Fremantle. Open Tuesday to Thursday 5pm – late, Friday 12pm – late and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am for breakfast. Visit magnapizza.com.au.
The funky name caught our eye, but these 100 per cent Australian-grown instant wholegrain oats have the added health benefit of Waltanna golden flaxseed in the mix. Red Tractor Foods sources its oats from Wimmera and Limestone Coast – two farming regions known for their high quality oats and grains. The addition of flaxseed makes this oaty combo a power-bomb of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, dietary fibre and protein. Find Red Tractor Omega 3 Instant Oats at Coles, $4 per 500g.
Pyrex is making a come-back and we’re loving the new retro designs from the company that has shaped our kitchen repertoire for decades. The ‘Vintage Charm – Inspired by Pyrex’ range of opal glass bowls celebrates the brand’s100th anniversary and this month, Pyrex launched its range of dual purpose prep and serve-ware bowls in an ode to the much-loved Pyrex designs of the 50s, 60s and 70s. The bowls are available in three vibrant patterns – Golden Days, Spot On and Rise N Shine (pictured) – and come in three handy sizes – 3-cup, 6-cup and 10-cup. Available from David Jones, Big W and leading homeware stores. The range can be purchased as a collectable hat-box set of three bowls with matching lids for $69.95, a complete set of three bowls for $49.95, or as separate pieces for $12.95-$27.95. Visit pyrex.net.au.
Two London-based Aussie lads have developed a grab-and-go, cold-brew coffee which won Most Innovative Product award at the London Coffee Festival recently. Sold in Tetrapaks, with nitrogen in the head to keep the coffee super fresh, Minor Figures Cold Brew Coffee is available in Straight Black or with Organic Milk ($4). Ethically-sourced, in-season coffee is brewed for 18 hours in cold filtered water resulting in a balanced, complex and refreshing caffeine hit. Cold brewing is a gentler method of brewing that reduces acidity, bitterness and produces a naturally sweeter, super refreshing drink. Find at Fresh Provisions Bicton and Mt Lawley, Napoli Mercato Deli Harrisdale, Blue Ginger Fine Foods Margaret River and George Street Quarters East Fremantle or visit minorfigures.com.
An Aussie lad as an adoptive Italian was not what Brad Ness, co-owner of Magna Pizza, had intended for his future, but a near fatal accident changed all that.
In 1992, Mr Ness lost his foot in a ferry altercation off Rottnest. He would have died had it not been for the quick thinking passengers who administered first aid until help was at hand.
The former Claremont footballer soon discovered a passion for wheelchair basketball which eventually led him to the Sydney Paralympic team.
“I got to a point in my life where I thought, do I stay in basketball or do something new,” he said.
“That’s when Italy came calling and offered me a position playing at an international level.
“They treated me like a rock-star!” he laughs. “Business class fight, chauffeur, luxury hotel . . . ”
First port of call was a pizzeria in Lake Como and Mr Ness was sold.
“This is where my passion for Italian food and culture was born. I realised pizzas differed according to region and they tasted so different to here.”
After 12 years away, Mr Ness returned home with his new wife Giovanna and in 2014 they opened Magna Pizza.
“Our good friends Maurizio Quacquarelli and Francesca Costanza mentored us. We try not to bombard with toppings, but keep the pizzas true to the Italian style.
“We import the buffalo mozzarella and the prosciutto from Italy and we ensure we prove the dough for at least 72 hours which gives it a good rise, crispier finish and is easier on digestion.
“Giovanna makes the desserts and cakes which are inspired by years of working at her aunty’s bakery in Italy.
“The Nutella tiramisu and the panna cotta are our best-sellers, hands-down.”
Magna Pizza is located at The Mantle, 1 James Street Fremantle. Open Tuesday to Thursday 5pm – late, Friday 12pm – late and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am for breakfast. Visit magnapizza.com.au.
The funky name caught our eye, but these 100 per cent Australian-grown instant wholegrain oats have the added health benef
it of Waltanna golden flaxseed in the mix. Red Tractor Foods sources its oats from Wimmera and Limestone Coast – two farming regions known for their high quality oats and grains. The addition of flaxseed makes this oaty combo a power-bomb of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, dietary fibre and protein. Find Red Tractor Omega 3 Instant Oats at Coles, $4 per 500g.
Pyrex is making a come-back and we’re loving the new retro designs from the company that has shaped our kitchen repertoire for decades. The ‘Vintage Charm – Inspired by Pyrex’ range of opal glass bowls celebrates the brand’s100th anniversary and this month, Pyrex launched its range of dual purpose prep and serve-ware bowls in an ode to the much-loved Pyrex designs of the 50s, 60s and 70s. The bowls are available in three vibrant patterns – Golden Days, Spot On and Rise N Shine (pictured) – and come in three handy sizes – 3-cup, 6-cup and 10-cup. Available from David Jones, Big W and leading homeware stores. The range can be purchased as a collectable hat-box set of three bowls with matching lids for $69.95, a complete set of three bowls for $49.95, or as separate pieces for $12.95-$27.95. Visit pyrex.net.au.
Two London-based Aussie lads have developed a grab-and-go, cold-brew coffee which won Most Innovative Product award at the London Coffee Festival recently. Sold in Tetrapaks, with nitrogen in the head to keep the coffee super fresh, Minor Figures Cold Brew Coffee is available in Straight Black or with Organic Milk ($4). Ethically-sourced, in-season coffee is brewed for 18 hours in cold filtered water resulting in a balanced, complex and refreshing caffeine hit. Cold brewing is a gentler method of brewing that reduces acidity, bitterness and produces a naturally sweeter, super refreshing drink. Find at Fresh Provisions Bicton and Mt Lawley, Napoli Mercato Deli Harrisdale, Blue Ginger Fine Foods Margaret River and George Street Quarters East Fremantle or visit minorfigures.com.