A globally recognised pizza master is bringing a twist to winter dining in the eastern suburbs, with 400 Gradi unveiling a limited-edition collaboration that champions mushrooms.
The collab has already kicked off, running for one month from Thursday, June 18th, and has been reimagining how mushrooms are used on pizza, moving far beyond the traditional topping into rich creams, truffle purées and pestos designed to deliver deep umami flavour.
The takeover is being led by Johnny Di Francesco, founder of 400 Gradi and a chef whose reputation now stretches well beyond Australia. Fresh from being named the world’s fifth-best pizza maker at the prestigious Campionato Mondiale della Pizza in Italy, Johnny has returned home with a menu designed to surprise, delight and convert even the most devoted mushroom sceptics.
“Mushrooms are one of the most versatile and flavour-packed ingredients we have in the kitchen,” shared Johnny. “They bring incredible depth, natural umami and a richness that works beautifully on pizza.”
The collaboration with Australian Mushrooms sees three limited-edition pizzas added to the 400 Gradi menu, each designed to showcase mushrooms in a completely different light.
The Mushroom Delite is a winter-warming creation featuring a roasted mushroom cream base, Fior di Latte, sausage, crispy garlic chips and roasted mushroom pieces, and the Roasted Mushroom pizza layers potato and truffle purée with Fior di Latte, roasted mushrooms, parmesan and parsley oil.
Rounding out the trio is the Mushroom Pesto, which swaps the traditional tomato base for a mushroom pesto made from roasted mushrooms, parmesan, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil. Topped with Fior di Latte, confit tomatoes, pancetta and fresh basil, it delivers a bright contrast of flavours.
Victoria Zourkas, Marketing Manager at Hort Innovation, said, “Partnering with Johnny, one of the world’s most respected pizza makers, was the perfect opportunity to showcase the versatility and potential of Australian Mushrooms. We hope it inspires chefs and foodservice professionals across the country to think differently about mushrooms on pizza, beyond just having the classic sliced topping.”
The Australian Mushrooms x 400 Gradi takeover will be available across at their Norwood venue, giving local diners a chance to try top-notch pizza with a winter mushroom twist.
400 Gradi
Where: 121 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067
For more information, click here.
