Many talented Sicilians move to the north or abroad to pursue their education and build their future, but when they return—often for love—they are full of ideas and creativity that make our land more beautiful. This is the case of Francesco Aquilino and Daniele Iacona: one is an experienced construction entrepreneur, the other a nonconformist pizza master with a poetic spirit. Both had the courage to stand up against extortion and abuse with the support of Addiopizzo.
Francesco and Daniele are two friends who decided to bring “Dolce Rosso Pizza” to life, a brand with a strong identity characterized by innovation and eco-sustainability.
Daniele, in fact, has been a pioneer of “high digestibility” since 2009, the year he opened his first pizzeria. After a year of experimentation, he found the perfect recipe: the Iacona pizza is light, rich in proteins and healthy carbohydrates, and baked without the toxic fumes produced by wood. Additionally, the temperatures and acidity levels are measured and controlled with meticulous precision to ensure consistent product quality. The result is a pizza that is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and infused with the aroma of carefully selected Sicilian grains. The house specialty is the “serafico” bread, a name invented by Daniele, waiting to be discovered!
Dolce Rosso Pizza is located in a historic building in Capaci, with a large terrace from which you can admire the sea during the summer. It could be idyllic, but Francesco and Daniele prefer to keep a close connection to reality because they know what it means to receive threats and intimidation from local mafiosi.
Being part of the Addiopizzo ethical consumption network represents, for them, not only a deterrent and a strong statement of identity but also a constant source of social, psychological, and legal support. The resilience of Francesco and Daniele is a testament to great virtue in the face of the arrogance of mediocrity.
To all the entrepreneurs and merchants who find the courage to speak out and the will to reclaim their freedom: “After all, we are humble workers; we just want to work peacefully in the place we love.”
See on Instagram
