A BAKER with a passion for authentic pizza has quit his office job to open a stall in Oldham town centre.

Enterprising Daniel Preston is now creating mouth-watering Neapolitan style Pizzas at his dinky Gatto Pizza outside Oldham’s Tommyfield Market.

But before launching his new venture the 31-year-old from Failsworth turned his pizza passion into detailed reality with regular visits to Napoli, the home of pizza, to learn and absorb the culture.

Daniel said: “Gatto Pizza produces authentic Neapolitan style pizza. The method of making them mimic the same techniques and procedures which can be found in the pizzerias of Naples.

The Oldham Times: AUTHENTIC: Daniel uses the best Italian ingredients in his pizzasAUTHENTIC: Daniel uses the best Italian ingredients in his pizzas

“The majority of our ingredients are imported from Italy, ensuring we can offer the best possible product."

He added: “Our dough is made fresh daily using Caputo flour, the same flour which can be found in some of the best pizzas in the world.”

The chef said he believed pizza should be "unpretentious and simple", saying it was "something we intend to uphold, resulting in our very select menu of just four pizza offerings".

The pizzas are baked in a gas-powered stone based oven which can reach over 400C  allowing them to be baked in just over a minute.

Talking about his reason for deciding to open in Oldham, he said: “I feel it's Oldham's time to shine. 

The Oldham Times: SEATING: It might be a tiny stall but Daniel has made space for diners to sit at Gatto PizzaSEATING: It might be a tiny stall but Daniel has made space for diners to sit at Gatto Pizza

"There are so many other satellite towns to Manchester that have recently seen a resurgence in their town centre offerings, mostly focusing on hospitality.”

And he pointed to the success of Michelle Riley whose mini Cob and Coal pub in the market has scooped up the prestigious CAMRAs Manchester Pub of the Year award.

He explained: “Witness people like Michelle opening such amazing venues in Oldham gives you the belief there's a chance the town will once again become a viable alternative to Manchester for food and drink.

“I'm hoping in time more like-minded vendors will set up shop in Oldham and will create a vibrant community.”

Daniel said the pandemic gave him an opportunity to re-evaluate and make some big changes in his life.

He said: “I decided to take the bull by its horns and open my own market stall baking pizza.

“My true passion is bread, I'm obsessed, I take great pride in my pizza dough.

"After all, it makes up over 80 per cent of what a pizza is. My dough takes 24 hours to make, which helps develop a deeper flavour and more substantial texture.

“Each pizza is hand-stretched and then cooked for no more than 90 seconds.

“I strive to replicate what can be found on the streets of Napoli, all our pizzas are around 12 inches and start at just £4.50."

Pub landlady Michelle said: “Daniel is providing  great pizza and it’s fast becoming another great addition to the market community."