Panza Piena
ProHighlights
- Vintage Ape pizza truck with chefs cooking live
- Fresh pasta finished in a 25-kilogram cheese wheel
- In-house styling, florals and Italian ceramic hire
About Panza Piena
Panza Piena is an Italian catering business led by Sara Sidari and her family, built on recipes passed down through the generations. The menu centres on rustic wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta such as gnocchi and tagliatelle, and Italian desserts. Much of it is cooked by the Panza chefs in full view of the guests. The headline act is Pippo, a vintage Italian Ape truck fitted with pizza ovens and dressed up as a small pizzeria. Chefs stretch the dough and fire each pizza on the spot, so guests can watch the food being made between conversations. A live cheese wheel station, where fresh pasta is tossed through a 25-kilogram wheel, adds a second show for bigger celebrations. Packages are built around a two-hour service. Options run from a straight pizza package to the Classic and Lux spreads, which open with antipasto of salumi, cheeses, polenta chips, Caprese, olives and bread before the pizza and pasta arrive. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas can be worked into the menu. Beyond the food, the team offers in-house styling, florals, calligraphy and authentic Italian ceramic hire, so one supplier can dress the whole table. Panza Piena caters weddings, birthdays, office lunches, launches and Christmas functions across Melbourne. Send an enquiry with your date, guest numbers and location for a tailored quote.
Inclusions & amenities
Service
Cuisine type (caterers)
Catering style (caterers)
Dietary support (caterers)
Pricing
Travel and waitstaff are charged on top, and add-ons such as extra courses or desserts are priced per person.
Service Details
Styling, florals, calligraphy, Italian ceramic hire and waitstaff can be added, so one team can look after the whole table.
Frequently asked questions
How does Panza Piena price its catering?
Catering is charged as a minimum event spend rather than a per-person rate. The published minimum is $1,800 plus GST from Monday to Thursday and $2,000 plus GST on weekends, with travel and waitstaff charged on top.
What does the pizza truck hire cover?
Hiring Pippo the Ape truck is listed at $980 plus GST, which covers setting up and decorating the wood-fired kitchen at your event. A Panza gazebo can be added for $450 plus GST if you want extra cover.
Can the menu cater for dietary needs?
Yes. Panza Piena offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pizzas, and the chefs can shape a custom menu around your guests' dietary requirements and the theme of your event.
Do I need waitstaff for my event?
For events with more than 30 guests, Panza Piena suggests booking at least one member of waitstaff. Waitstaff are charged separately from the food packages, as is travel to your venue.
What else can Panza Piena provide besides food?
The team includes stylists, florists, calligraphers and graphic designers, and it hires out authentic Italian ceramics. Event planning and coordination can also be arranged, from the first concept through to the day itself.
Areas we service
Suitable occasions
Mimmo dattilo
4 months ago
We recently had Panza Piena cater our twin girls' Baptism and 1st Birthday celebration, and they absolutely exceeded all expectations. From the very beginning, Sara was an absolute pleasure to deal with. She was profess…
James Callahan
7 months ago
Sara and team provided food service for a surprise birthday party in a public space. The Italian antipasto and pizza were delicious and the service was perfect. Sara pre consultation was great and her flexibility on ingr…
Jazmin Hicks
8 months ago
We had the most wonderful experience with Rosa, Umberto, Simi, and Sara! We had them in our home for a birthday celebration for my Mom and it truly was one of the most special meals of our lives. The table set up was bea…
Stacey Grima
10 months ago
Panza Piena was absolutely incredible. Sara made the whole process of organising food for a big group feel completely stress-free — she was warm, friendly, and guided me in all the right ways. On the day, the food arriv…
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