Australian Mushrooms has partnered with Gigi’s Pizzeria in Sydney to run a limited-edition pop-up featuring “new and innovative uses of mushrooms, rarely seen on menus”.
Hailed by Jamie Oliver for serving some of the best pizza he’s ever tasted, Daniel Semrani, the chef and owner of Gigi’s, will be at the helm of the takeover.
Taking mushrooms beyond classic pizza uses, the new creations are available at Gigi’s for the month of February.
Pizzas include the ‘Mushroom Whip’ where the traditional tomato base is replaced by a “umami‑packed” whipped mushroom and herb butter, layered with sautéed juicy white button mushrooms, rocket, prosciutto and Fior di latte.
The ‘Umamified’ is a twist on the classic marinara, featuring thick-cut Swiss brown mushrooms that are scored, roasted and seared like a steak. The result is described as being a “juicy, meaty bite with depth and richness that rivals any animal protein”.
The ‘Mushroom Royale’ is promoted as being “pure indulgence where a creamy, decadent base of blended Swiss brown mushrooms delivers layers of deep umami flavour, finished with crispy slices of Swiss brown and white button mushrooms for a glossy texture and satisfying crunch”.
After seeing demand from consumers for mushroom flavoured pizzas, Mr Semrani decided to partner with Australian Mushrooms to “bring the people what they want”.
“Mushrooms are one of my favourite ingredients and our customers at Gigi’s can’t get enough of them,” he says.
“Most pizzerias have a fungi pizza on the menu, but we wanted to do something different. I wanted to show how mushrooms can go beyond the typical sliced topping.
“Their meaty texture, earthy flavour and umami richness make them incredibly versatile to hold their own or elevate other flavours perfectly.”
Australian Mushrooms aims to inspire chefs and foodservice professionals nationwide to think differently about mushrooms on pizza.
“Daniel’s reputation and creativity made him the perfect partner for this campaign,” says Horticulture Innovation Marketing Manager Victoria Zourkas.
“He’s crafted three pizzas that each showcase mushrooms in a completely different way from whipped bases to meat‑free alternatives.
“The pizzas highlight why Australian mushrooms are the must‑have ingredient inspiring chefs and foodservice professionals in 2026.”
