Handmade pizza, an outdoor cinema and two boxes that didn’t even survive until the film began…
There’s a little tradition in our town that rolls around every six-week holiday: the outdoor cinema in the park. This year, it was my brother-in-law, the boys, my niece, and me, all bundled up and ready for Zootropolis 2 under the open sky.
We’d come prepared, of course, with a bag full of snacks (because is it really a cinema trip without snacks, even if your cinema seat is actually a picnic blanket?). Still, as lunchtime crept up on us, I couldn’t help but notice a white pizza van parked just close enough to tempt us.
Naturally, curiosity (and maybe a little hunger) got the better of me.
A Little Lunchtime Treat
Laff’s Pizza Company had rolled up in their cheerful little van, the kind that promises something delicious before you’ve even seen the menu. They make their pizzas by hand and cook them right there in the van, with the smell of wood-fired dough drifting out into the evening air.
Their menu was full of tempting 12-inch pizzas, each one made fresh while you watched. Most started at £10, and if you fancied a few extra toppings, it was just a pound or two more.
Honestly, even the fanciest option was only about £12, which felt like a bit of a steal for a wood-fired pizza made right in front of you. Especially when you know how wild event food prices can get.
We already had enough snacks to see us through the film, but I couldn’t resist treating us to two pizzas to share. Sometimes you just have to follow your cravings, right?
Margherita – £10
We went for a classic margherita for the kids, skipping the basil this time. It arrived with a bright layer of tomato sauce, plenty of gooey mozzarella, and just the right drizzle of garlic oil.
Naturally, I had to sneak a slice for quality control (someone has to do it, right?). I was a bit wary that the garlic oil might be a bit much for little taste buds, but it turned out to be just right. It melted in with the mozzarella and gave the whole thing a gentle, extra layer of flavour without stealing the show.
Simple, cheesy, and the kind of pizza that disappears before you know it.
Pepperoni – £10
The pepperoni was meant for the grown-ups, but let’s be honest, food has a way of making the rounds when kids are involved.
No sad, topping-less slices here—every piece had its own pepperoni moment. The base was fresh and had that lovely wood-fired taste, with plenty of melty cheese to bring it all together.
It ticked all the boxes for a proper pepperoni pizza: hot, cheesy, and piled high with toppings.
Gone Before the Opening Credits
The best bit, honestly, was that Zootropolis 2 hadn’t even started yet and somehow both pizzas had already disappeared. Classic us.
We’d picked them up thinking they’d be the perfect thing to nibble while we waited for the film to start, but it turns out patience is not our strong suit. Kids and grown-ups alike, everyone dove in, and those boxes were empty in record time. Honestly, I think that’s the highest praise any pizza could get.
There’s something about sitting in the park, sharing hot, cheesy pizza and waiting for an outdoor film to flicker to life that just feels like summer bottled up. We hadn’t planned it at all, but honestly, those are always the moments that end up feeling the most special. Sometimes the best food finds are the ones that sneak up on you.
Good to Know
Laff’s Pizza Company is a bit of a wanderer, popping up at all sorts of locations and events instead of settling down in one spot. It’s a little like a treasure hunt, only the prize is really good pizza.
You can even invite them to your own gathering, which feels like the kind of detail you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. Imagine the smell of fresh wood-fired pizza drifting through your party—honestly, I don’t think anyone would be mad about that.
If you want to keep tabs on where the pizza magic will turn up next, you can follow Laff’s Pizza Company on Facebook—or reach out if you’re already dreaming up your own pizza-filled event.
The Final Verdict
Stumbling across this little pizza van felt like one of those happy accidents that makes your whole day brighter. The pizzas were fresh and full of flavour, with toppings that didn’t hold back. And honestly, getting a handmade, wood-fired pizza the size of a dinner plate for just £10 felt like a small win worth celebrating.
The margherita had just enough garlic oil to make things interesting, but not so much that it stole the show from the creamy mozzarella. The pepperoni was the kind of cheesy, generous slice that makes you pause between bites just to appreciate how well they’ve done it.
If I spot that white van from Laff’s Pizza Company at another event, will I be making a beeline for it?
Absolutely. In fact, next time I might just have to see how many pizzas I can balance on one plate. For research purposes, of course.
Have you ever stumbled on a food van that totally surprised you? Tell me all about it—I’m always on the lookout for my next delicious detour.
Chapters and Cravings 
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