By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
IT TAKES a super-supreme reason for a pizzeria to stand out from the Melbourne pack.
For Dandenong eatery Taste of Paradise Halal Pizza, regular customers travel from as far away as the western suburbs, willing to eschew a multitude of pizza stores.
The business was first called Malibu but gave way to its more evocative title – more in keeping with its customers’ glowing reviews.
One absolutist diner proclaimed it the “best pizza on Earth” – now incorporated as the store’s slogan.
Taste of Paradise owner and culinary artist Suda Perera is a fan of simple, inventive pizza combinations on a medium-crust chewy dough.
The crowd favourite is the tandoori chicken – that’s set off by a tangy-and-spicy combination of secret-recipe dry curry, pineapple and mozzarella.
That’s closely followed by the hot fish curry – a serving of marinated mackerel in a spicy sauce and mozzarella.
“I don’t want to overcomplicate my recipes. I like the simplicity,” Perera says.
“They’re the same recipes as when I started. Why should I change? The customers are satisfied. I don’t want to confuse them.”
This store makes a loud statement. Its yellow shopfront signage shouts ‘Halal Pizza’ – the first such outlet in Dandenong.
Its meats are certified Halal – and don’t include pork.
The cheery staff’s shiny uniforms are emblazoned with the Paradise logo and images of onion and garlic on their backs.
It’s a major supporter of the Muslim Eid Festival, to local mosques and cancer fund-raisers, and has won over stomachs of all faiths.
The store recently won Dandenong Retail Trader Association’s Retailer of the Year award.
“Success has been from the quality of the service. We try to connect with all the community,” Mr Perera says.
The Sri Lankan-born engineer set up the business 19 years ago after struggling to find work in Australia. That’s when he started getting interested in food, manufacturing his own recipes and spice combinations.
Suffice to say, he does his own maintenance around the shop.
He set up in Dandenong because it was a “multicultural area that I totally loved”.
Most weeks, the store bakes 700 pizzas.
The busiest days are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when other food outlets are closed.
The eatery has recently expanded, converting a bookshop next door to an indoor dining area with toilets, coffee machine and an ATM.
It delivers to Dandenong, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Noble Park, Noble Park North and Keysborough.
Taste of Paradise Halal Pizza is open seven days a week from 10.30am to midnight and until 1am on Friday and Saturday, at 8 Clow Street, Dandenong.
Phone 9793 9888.
