Season 10 - Episode 4 - Pitfire Pizza -and The Secret Sauce !

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! 🍴

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices