A GOUROCK business owner proved to be the chieftain of the pizza race — after wowing customers with his Robert Burns-inspired special creation.

Young Inverkip entrepreneur Nicholas Canata, who runs Nico’s Pizzeria in Kempock Street, ensured customers made the most of the traditional Scottish celebration on Wednesday with his ‘Poet’s Pizza’.

The pizza’s main ingredients are Simon Howie haggis and Scottish cheddar cheese, with mouth-watering mozzarella and a drizzle of chilli oil to give a final spicy kick.

The delicacy, which was created as a tribute to the Bard, has proved so successful that it has now become a permanent addition to the menu at Nicholas’s Gourock takeaway and his recently opened shop in Largs.

The 23-year-old says the success of the dish is music to his ears, adding:

“We’ve offered it for the past couple of years for Burns night, but it’s become really popular. Now it’s on the menu full-time.

“It’s called the ‘Poet’s Pizza’ and people really seem to like it.

“As well as having a Scottish theme and flavour, the ingredients are a bit different to the usual things you would expect to find.”

Nicholas set up his business five years ago at just 18, firstly opening the Gourock shop and then his Largs pizzeria nearly 12 months ago.

The ambitious entrepreneur developed an appetite for building  his own takeaway empire after working in his local chip shop at the age of 14.

Last year he was a finalist in the Scottish Italian Awards in the ‘Best Pizza’ category.

His latest addition to the menu has gone down a storm in store and has been well received on social media as  — just like Rabbie himself — customers wax lyrical over its appeal.

Nicholas added: “It’s always nice to get good feedback and if the customers like it, then I’m happy too.”