Canberra's Chef Hem is now serving up his world-class pizzas with a view - the latest addition to The Jetty beside Lake Burley Griffin.
The Nepalese-born chef, who has been ranked in the top 100 pizza chefs in the world, says it is a "dream come true" to be working at perhaps Canberra's most picturesque location.
'A dream come true'
His Hem and Co pizza truck has been operating lakeside for about a month.
"The response has been very nice. People have been liking it," he said.
"It's been good in front of the lake. I love this place. For a long time, I was wishing that I could be here.
"It's like a dream come true. I'm here now.
"And I want to welcome everyone, all Canberrans, to come down here and try my pizza."
The young dad has opened the lakeside food truck with his brother-in-law and business partner Ozais Rai Dewan.
The Jetty beer garden and cafe is open from October to March on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, giving Canberrans an outdoor, lakeside entertainment venue during the warmer months.
The Jetty is co-owned by the owners of The Dock - Jane Collins, Glen Collins and Ben Alexander - as well as Rena Judd, Dean Ratsch and Bailey Smith.
Hem and Co is staying busy
Hemnath Thapa Maga aka Chef Hem, the head chef at Pizza Artigiana in Macquarie, was recognised in the recent Best Chef Awards as one of the top 100 pizza chefs in the world.
He is still working at the restaurant while also launching his own business, Hem and Co.
There is the new outlet at The Jetty as well as a separate pizza truck that is smaller and ideal for private functions and parties.
Chef Hem is also attracting major sponsorship deals, with him boasting almost 83,000 Instagram followers.
Love and patience
He has always said that love and patience make a good pizza.
Part of the secret to his popular pizzas is using dough that has been rested for 24 hours at room temperature.
While a classic Margherita is always popular Chef Hem's own creations are also gaining loyal fans.
Make sure to try the the Hem-azing pizza
And he loves having fun with the names.
There's the Truffle Shuffle - truffle cream, mushrooms, parmesan, fior di latte mozzarella and olive oil.
And Jurassic Pork - pomodoro, hot salami, parmesan, fior di latte and olive oil.
Or the Hem-azing Pizza - fior di latte, nduja salami, ricotta, gorgonzola, honey, parmesan and olive oil.
There's also cheese, vegetarian and traditional pizzas.
The Hem and Co pizza truck is open at The Jetty, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes from Thursday to Sunday.
Opening hours are from 11.30am to at least 9pm - later if there is a crowd around.
