New Southsea street food business to bring taste of Sicily to the city

ENTREPRENEUR Paride Cimino is bringing a taste of Sicily to the streets of Portsmouth with his new business.Â
Panormus street food in Southsea, with owner Paride CiminoPanormus street food in Southsea, with owner Paride Cimino
Panormus street food in Southsea, with owner Paride Cimino

The 28-year-old has set up a street food business called Panormus, specialising in the delicious dishes of his home town of Palermo. 

Paride, who moved to Portsmouth five years ago, said he's been delighted to see the positive response to his food. 

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He started the business in May, working around his job as a croupier at a casino, after being inspired by seeing food stalls at the Love Southsea markets. He held his second stall at the latest Love Southsea market on Sunday. 

He said: '˜It was so good, we sold everything. We had to close an hour early as we had sold out of everything. 

'˜The food is my passion. I love it. I love to cook and I think there's nothing better than seeing smiles on people's faces and knowing they are happy because of your food.' 

The stall had three pastries to choose from '“ pizetta a mini cheese and tomato pizza, calzone filled with cheese and ham and rollo, a hot dog wrapped in pastry. 

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Paride said: '˜Sometimes people know the food as they have been on holiday to Sicily but mainly we get a positive reaction.

'˜I believe that you start to eat food as soon as you see it, eating starts with the eyes, so presentation is really important to me.

'˜But the reaction when people taste it is great, every time they become happy.' 

Paride learned to cook at his older brother Angelo's restaurant in his home town. 

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He moved to the UK after completing a croupier training course and being placed in Portsmouth and says he misses the food, his family and the sunshine.

But he says he loves the city now, especially as his girlfriend Manuella also moved to Portsmouth from Sicily and they married in June. 

He said: '˜I love it here.'  

Paride said he hopes to expand his business and start providing buffets for parties. 

For more go to '˜Panormus street food' on Facebook. 

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