We’re thrilled to introduce , the latest addition to the vibrant community at what was once, Kenwood House. This unique fusion of a pizzeria and art gallery is the brainchild of a dynamic duo, Ali and Erika, whose love story began in a pizza restaurant and has now flourished into a family-run business that’s all about great food and inspiring art. We had the pleasure of interviewing Erika to get an insider’s view of their journey, vision, and what makes Palette Pizza and Art truly special.
The Birth of a Unique Concept
Can you tell us a bit about your business and what inspired you to combine a pizzeria with an art gallery?
“We met two years ago in a pizza restaurant—Ali was the head chef, and I was working front of house. As an artist who has always worked in local hospitality, it felt natural to merge our passions. After deciding to get married, we also decided to bite the bullet and open our own place. It’s a family-run venture with our children involved, focusing on excellent quality pizzas as our main income. I wanted to add a unique element with art, featuring quirky decor and art for sale from myself and other local artists, including ceramics and jewellery. We aim to create a space that evolves with new art and artists quarterly, encouraging people to return for both the food and the creative atmosphere.”
What Sets Palette Pizza and Art Apart
What makes Palette Pizza and Art unique compared to other restaurants?
“Our open kitchen allows customers to interact with the chefs and watch their pizzas being made—there are excellent views from upstairs. We have ever-changing wall art to keep things fresh, and our decor is quirky, homely, and relaxed. We did everything ourselves, from the floor to the ceiling, and we’re very excited for our customers to come and experience it all!”
Signature Creations
What are some of your signature pizzas or art pieces that you’re particularly proud of?
“Our pizzas are named after artists. ‘The Kusama’ is a duck and hoisin pizza that sounds unconventional but tastes amazing. ‘The Van Gogh’ features chicken, potato, garlic, thyme, and rosemary, often described as a ‘Mum hug on a Sunday.’ For veggies, ‘The Frida Kahlo’ with halloumi, jalapeños, red cabbage, garlic mayo, and rocket is a standout. Each pizza is crafted to offer a unique culinary experience.”
Embracing the Location
What attracted you to this location?
“We love the location and our neighbours! Although it’s slightly off the main strip, we get plenty of foot traffic and a lot of drive-bys. With the power of Instagram, you don’t need to be right in the centre to get noticed.”
Can you share a bit about the process of opening the new restaurant?
“It’s been a ride—very life-affirming with many highs and lows, taxing on both the brain and body. Despite the challenges, we feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to create something special and look forward to growing our brand and building a community of new friends around us.”
Future Plans and Community Engagement
Are there any upcoming events, promotions, or special launches we should look out for?
“We’ve already hosted a few events, including a collaboration with Black&Even Tattoo shop next door. We plan to hold quarterly flash tattoo and pizza events. My exhibition was a great success, with 24 of my 32 paintings sold! Keep an eye out for more exciting events.”
How do you plan to engage with the local community and attract customers to your new location?
“The community has been wonderful so far. I was born in Tunbridge Wells and have always worked in hospitality, so we already have a strong social media following and a lot of local support. We hope that the quality of our pizza and the uniqueness of our interior will help raise our profile in the town.”
Personal Reflections
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
“We are very proud of ourselves. Apart from the electrics and some plumbing, we did everything ourselves. We’ve put in countless hours and are thrilled with what we have achieved!”
How do you balance the creative aspects of running an art company with the operational side of a pizzeria?
“Ali handles everything in the kitchen, while I manage the front of house and the art side. It’s a 50/50 split that works really well for us.”
A Special Thanks
Can you share a few words about the support and services provided by Presence & Co.?
“Presence & Co. have been great, always responding quickly to our queries and being very supportive of our requests. We couldn’t fault them! Special thanks to Tina and Theo!”
Discover more about Palette Pizza and Art by visiting www.palettepizzaandart.co.uk. Join us in welcoming this innovative and creative space to Tunbridge Wells.
