In an incredible journey from the sun-kissed beaches of Durban to the competitive arena of Italy's culinary heart, David and Ishara Chetty recently claimed a spot among the elite in the Pizza Classica category at the prestigious 2025 Campionato Mondiale della Pizza.
Held in Parma, Italy, from April 8 to 10, the couple, who were competing against culinary titans from over 50 countries, secured an impressive ninth place with a dough recipe that originated in their very own kitchen.
For the Chettys, it's a dream they never truly anticipated.
Reflecting on their unlikely success, the couple shared, “If someone had told us a few years ago that a dough recipe developed in our Durban kitchen would land us in the top 10 in the world, we would have laughed, nervously glanced at our flour-dusted aprons, and carried on hand-stretching dough.”
Yet, here they stand, proud ambassadors of South African culinary innovation.
At the championship, the Chettys competed against Italy’s finest, armed solely with their sourdough Napoli-style base and an unwavering passion for the craft.
“The Italians taught us about the deep respect and embedded food culture in their country,” Ishara continued, noting a valuable lesson in conveying passion through food.
“It’s a philosophy that we refuse to compromise in favour of the mass appeal.”
As pioneers of Napoli-style pizza in Durban, David and Ishara have devoted themselves to refining their craft and sharing their knowledge with aspiring chefs.
They aspire to uplift the next generation of South African culinary talent, encouraging future chefs not to gate-keep resources but to create opportunities for excellence.
“This experience wasn’t the end goal,” David asserted. “It marks the beginning of a new chapter for food in South Africa.”
The couple's culinary journey began with a mutual love for food, intertwined with a shared vision of warmth and generosity at the dining table.
Their path evolved from engaging in social media discussions to heartfelt culinary experiences during their honeymoon in Italy in 2018.
Inspired by the Italian food culture's elegance and simplicity, they decided to venture into the restaurant industry.
Having opened their restaurant Doughed in January 2023, the couple dedicated themselves to nearly a year of perfecting their sourdough recipe to replicate Naples' traditional hand-stretched pizzas authentically.
They source local ingredients for toppings while importing authentic mozzarella and Parmigiano from Italy, refusing to cut corners on quality.
“Embracing new opportunities, like transitioning to a full-time pizzeria model, has shown us how to navigate challenges with grace and creativity,” David explained.
“Our successes are not merely defined by accolades but the joyful connections we've created around our pizza.”
With ambitions to rise further, the Chettys continue to blend their newfound knowledge with their Durban heritage, deciding that each pizza they craft carries a piece of South African culture.
“For us, it wasn’t just about the competition. It was about daring to become excellent,” Ishara stated.
“We’re ready to rise - one dough at a time.”