From humble beginnings and with a concerted effort the original pizzeria went steadily from strength to strength with the support and loyalty of the neighbourhood. As the good word spread they increased in number and came from further afield. In the same short period of time we were fortunate enough to glean the support and trust of publications such as Scotland The Best (Peter Irvine), The Scotsman, The Evening News and four consecutive ‘Hit List’ awards from The List magazine.

With this strengthening reputation came higher demand. This made it necessary to call on the support of good friends Mariusz and Greig (aka, ‘Super Mario’ and the ‘Ginger Prince’.) With Mariusz’s extensive experience in the pizza business and Greig’s origins in the bar and restaurant industry, they became valued and integral players in the soon to be dubbed Origano ‘Core Four’.

These new additions to the team solved the operational challenges, but alas they did little to solve the frustrations of the customers we were unable to seat on an ever increasing basis. The difficult yet necessary decision was then made and with a heavy heart to look for bigger premises, than the twenty-one seat restaurant at 277, Leith Walk.

Fortunately a long derelict premises became available a matter of meters away at 236, Leith Walk. This Grade ‘C’ listed Georgian fronted building formed a part of the now demolished India Rubber Mill. This was the blank canvas we needed to build the new Origano pizzeria and allowed us the opportunity to utilise the original location as a dedicated take-away and delivery operation, now known as Origano Go. One year and plenty blood sweat and tears, the bigger and hopefully better Origano opened to the public, the rest as they say is history…