By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
TASTE of Paradise Pizza boasts, perhaps brazenly, it has the ‘best pizza on Earth’ but as of last week it could rightfully claim itself as Dandenong’s premier retailer.
The pizzeria’s Jason Adams and Yasleem Lathif took celebratory selfies as they held up the prestigious trophy for Dandenong Retail Traders Association top retailer’s award.
Owner Suda Perera, who opened the store 19 years ago, was absent overseas for the announcement.
The Sri Lankan migrant and trained civil engineer turned his hand to flipping dough after failing to get work in his preferred field.
After a few years, he formed his own business baking such exotica as tandoori Indian and spicy fish pizzas all with Halal ingredients.
Mr Lathif, the pizzeria’s manager, is a qualified accountant. He said he’d stuck with the store for nine years because he likes talking to people and likes the high-energy, fun staff.
He said the eatery has had a second life – churning 350 pizzas a day – since adding indoor dining tables and a bold, bright shopfront.
Indeed, its bright, new yellow sign ‘Halal pizza’ is impossible to miss for passers-by at the top-end of Clow Street.
The ‘Halal’ branding was a drawcard that appealed to stomachs of all faiths, Mr Lathif contends.
This year’s awards was one of the hottest contests, with 21 nominee businesses and 2000 votes collected.
The final decision – while factoring in the popular vote – was a final decision of the DRTA committee, president Glenys Cooper said.
The other finalists were Odils Hair and Beauty, Crystal Foot Spa, Nails and Beauty, Liberica Coffee and Modica Travel Service.
