What does it take to build a pizza empire in one of the world’s most competitive food cities?
In this live edition of the Chef JKP Podcast, host James Knight-Paccheco sits down with Michele and Bill Johnson - the powerhouse duo behind Pitfire Pizza - for a no-filter conversation about passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of the perfect slice.
🎙️ Live from Time Out Market Dubai, they share the story behind one of Dubai’s most beloved pizza joints - from humble beginnings and family baking memories to scaling a brand known for quality, consistency, and fire.
You’ll hear:
🍕 How Bill perfected his dough recipe over years
🍕 The secrets to managing quality across multiple branches
🍕 What makes a truly great pizza (it’s not just ingredients)
🍕 Tips for anyone dreaming of launching their own food brand
00:00 Introduction
01:13 The Joy of Pizza: Pitfire's Mission
02:14 Meet the Legends: Michele and Bill Johnson
03:43 Bill's Pizza Journey
08:20 Opening Pitfire Pizza
11:01 From JLT to Time Out Market
14:17 Maintaining Quality Across Branches
16:52 Centralizing Dough Production: Pros and Cons
17:29 Training, Technique & Team Culture
18:24 Branding, Artistry & the Brotherhood of Pizza
19:10 Managing a Large Team in Dubai
22:05 Pizza Ovens and Baking Techniques
23:28 Signature Pizzas at Pitfire
24:56 Quick Fire Questions
28:01 Future Plans and Advice for Restaurateurs
Follow Pitfire Pizza on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitfirepizzabakers
This season of the Chef JKP Podcast is proudly brought to you by Time Out Market Dubai.
🎙️ You support the show by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Food is memories. Enjoy the episode! 🍴
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