National Olive Day at Voodoo Rays, featuring OLLY’s

Love them or loathe them, olives are certainly having their moment! For National Olive Day last week, popular Dalston pizza dive bar Voodoo Rays partnered with OLLY’s to launch a brand new limited edition menu.

The ‘Big Olive Energy’ is available for a limited time only from the 1st of June. The Napoli base (which I can honestly say rivals the pizza I recently had in Naples) is first layered with a harissa paste, giving it just enough spice. It is then topped with OLLY’s Smoky Red Pepper olives, whipped feta, sumac, fresh mint and pomegranate seeds. Meat eaters can opt for the pulled lamb version whereas vegetarians can enjoy the same flavours, minus the lamb. All in all, the saltiness of the olives is nicely juxtaposed with the fresh mint and sweet pomegranate. It tastes like a summer evening in Italy, as this time of year should. Vegans can also enjoy the limited olive-inspired menu as the ever-popular (and my personal favourite) Queen Vegan pizza is embellished with OLLY’s Garlic and Basil olives.

Voodoo Ray’s giant pizza slices are lightweight while still being absolutely packed with flavour. All of the pizzas were perfectly complemented by cold beers, canned margaritas by Pimentae, frozen cocktails (ideal for an early summer heatwave) and of course a buffet OLLY’s olives. Four different types were on offer – my personal favourites would have to be the Garlic and Basil and the Smoky Red Pepper.

OLLY’s olives are available in supermarkets as well as online. This family-run company started in a kitchen and has exploded in popularity. And if supporting small businesses isn’t enough motivation for you to go out and buy some olives (or the moreish Pretzel Thins also available on the website), you can also feel good knowing that with every order placed on the website, OLLY’s donates a school meal to a child in need on your behalf.

In addition to savoury treats, the launch event also served Trash Pudding, London’s newest viral dessert, created by Hot Milk Cookies. It’s an indulgent cookies-and-cream treat featuring layers of brown butter cookies, silky cereal milk cream, and white chocolate ganache, topped with a customizable selection of crunches and sauces, including cornflakes and pretzels. Another small business run by two friends, Hannah and Emily, you can find Hot Milk Cookies online or at Broadway Market in Hackney on weekends.