The Massimo family has been running Mamma Mia on Upper Piccadilly since 1985.
Years before, Gianni Massimo came from Naples, Italy, to Bradford in search of work.
He found himself working as a chef at a restaurant on Lumb Lane.
A meal created by Mamma Mia (Image: Mike Simmonds)
When the owners decided to sell their venue, Gianni worked hard to save up a good portion of money and bought a restaurant of his own.
Mamma Mia soon became a staple for hearty Italian food in the city with his wife, Nella, working front of house.
Inside Mamma Mia (Image: Mike Simmonds)
One generation later, his son Pasquale Massimo has taken the reins while Gianni’s nephew, Leno Massimo, is the long-standing head chef.
The pizza oven (Image: Mike Simmonds)
Family means everything
Pasquale said: “When my son was born our first outing as a family was to Mamma Mia.
“My dad wanted to carry my son into the restaurant because he remembered 38 years ago doing it with me. I got really emotional.”
His son was just five days old during his visit.
Now he is three years old and sees the restaurant as the family’s “home”, Pasquale said.
He said: “When he sees the logo, he goes ‘Daddy’s work’… he goes round looking for me. He knows it’s our family home.
The Mamma Mia team at Bradford (Image: Mike Simmonds)
“When I first started working there up until 10 years ago everything was done by pen and paper. It’s the classic way of working and doing things. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Pasta by Mamma Mia (Image: Mike Simmonds)
£100k refurb
“10 years ago we did a full re-fit of the restaurant. It was around £100,000 back then.
“It’s a family restaurant for families.
“I was born in Bradford but I was raised Italian.
“I speak to my parents in Italian. That was my first language really. My son is learning Italian. It’s his heritage.
The Mamma Mia team (Image: Mike Simmonds)
“My dad, he can’t believe it. He’s just so happy and proud of what he’s achieved and what we’ve achieved as a family.
“It makes me feel emotional like we’ve got families that have come as kids, with their parents, and now they’re coming with their kids.
Pizza from Mamma Mia (Image: Mike Simmonds)
“There was a family at Christmas time and the daughter was trying to eat and had her daughter in her arms. I took her little girl around the restaurant and her mum could eat. Her mum came up and said what you did there felt so lovely because your mum did that for me.”
Charity event
At the end of November, the family is holding a sold-out charity event to celebrate their anniversary.
The restaurant said 100 per cent of the proceeds will be split between the Burns unit – commemorating 40 years since fire at Valley Parade – and dementia charity Bradford Memories – in honour of their Nonna.
There will be special guests from Bradford City Football Club, the Peacock kitchen takeover, The Corn Dolly bar take over and a special brewed beer from Northern Monk.
Dining and Cooking