In a quest to discover all of the island’s gems, Leo Beer took Phanganist down to O Sole Mio to meet Loris.
Loris was finishing up in the kitchen which seems to be his spiritual home given his passion for food and cooking so we sat down and enjoyed a delicious cappuccino at the bar.
O Sole Mio is already an established restaurant on the island which is famous for its italian food which is carefully prepared by Loris. He has now built up ‘Mamma Mia’ which offer delivery and also another restaurant at Panthip market in Thong Sala. Loris joins us to tell us more…
So tell us how you came to be on Koh Phangan…
The first time was in August 2012 to see my friend, I stayed for three weeks and realised I wanted to live here. I moved on November 20th 2012 and I’ve never moved!
Where does your love of food come from?
It comes from my Mama, my Mama had a restaurant and it was only classic Italian. I learned all the classics and coffee, this is my second religion.
In April 2013 I met my wife Nang and we now have two children, when I met her I was already making my own pasta and selling it to restaurants or privately.
I make everything from zero, I buy the flour then start, that way you know what’s in it!
And why the idea to do delivery?
People were asking ‘please, please do delivery’, I started with one pizza, one burger. I made the motorbike and people see it more and more so I don’t need to do much advertising.
My prices are good, the quality is good and they are big sizes, the pizza is the same size as the box! And people are lazy after a party!
How do you want people to feel when enjoying your food?
People hug me, they say it’s delicious. A French guy came and tried the ravioli with crab for the first time, usually he only eats meat and said it was gorgeous.
It’s like a snowball effect, people speak nice about it, bring their friends and then in one year it’s going great!
Are you always developing your food?
Absolutely, every week on a sunday I have one new thing and at happy hour I have my homemade cheese, I like that for myself!
I have a dish each week at Mamma Mia in Thong Sala for 100 Baht so slowly the customers can try all of my dishes cheaply!
Does your wife Nang like your food?
Before she would try nothing, no, no, no. Then she tried pasta, bolognese, little by little and now she eats everything. I’m happy.
What do you do when you’re not working?
Experiment with food! What is really love for me on the island is Leela beach for the quiet and if I eat out I will go to Fisherman’s.
And leave us with your ‘food philosophy’...
It’s my Mama’s cooking, when you cook you are cooking for your family. Take care with your ingredients, love and grow stronger.
Work hard and… work hard! My last day off was in June 2013 but look (points at the beach and ocean) do I really need a day off?! Sometimes I need to have time of no thinking so I have time with my babies.
Loris offers his Mamma Mia delivery service all day until 11pm and the menu has a large range of food to chose from.
You can also help with Charlie’s Children’s Charity with Loris, the annual event with the party for the children is happening on the 21st of September and Loris will come and collect donations of shoes, school things, anything you want to donate, from your home etc if you don’t know where to bring it!
Loris seems to be very close to his team, everyone helps out from the delivery man to his assistant in the kitchen.
So if you feel a bit ropey or hungover from the night before or are just in a bit of a lazy mood then pick up your phone and order a slice of paradise on paradise island from Mamma Mia!
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