Pizza Payaa In Normal, Illinois: Meet The Chef
We sat down with Executive Chef Adam of Pizza Payaa in Normal, Illinois. Pizza Payaa is a vibrant experience, with a welcoming atmosphere in Uptown Normal and creative, Detroit-style pizzas that pack a flavorful punch. Their pizzas, made with cold-fermented, hand-mixed dough and topped with premium ingredients like Ezzo pepperoni and Mike’s Hot Honey, offer a light, airy crust with a crispy edge, as seen in specialties like the Burrata Be Kidding Me. Many consider Pizza Payaa the best in Illinois for its innovative flavor combinations, high-quality ingredients, and consistent excellence, earning accolades like a ‘Top 10 Pizza Worldwide’ ranking at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo.
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
Wake up with my wife and kids, make them breakfast, have coffee outside. Ideally get a workout and sauna session in. I like to end the day catching up with my wife and reading or watching something to wind down.
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
We’ve been voted best pizza in the area. We won best vegan dish and chef in the area. We placed in the top ten for Best Pizza at the International Pizza Expo.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
Gordon Ramsay. His talent and business acumen are unmatched. Advice I’d give to aspiring cooks is to cook every meal, every day. And don’t be afraid to mess up. Failure breeds success.
Pizza Payaa In Normal, Illinois
What do you typically cook at home?
Tacos, Mediterranean, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, steak, pasta, Egyptian. Whatever we’re in the mood for!
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
I’m not crazy about trends unless they make sense. Hot honey on pizza was one we got in on early and never stopped because it’s delicious!
What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?
Probably honey on pizza. Or Kimchee Grilled Cheese. Or Miso Cacio e Pepe Pasta. No food combo is strange if it’s delicious.
What drink do you enjoy most?
A nice blanco tequila with Topo Chico, lime and salt.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
I’ve made pizza for famous pizza chefs in competitions and at food shows. Many of them are amazed at the texture and lightness of our crust.
What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?
It’s @PizzaPayaa.
Pizza Payaa In Normal, Illinois
Why should readers visit Pizza Payaa in Normal, Illinois?
Pizza Is our love language at Pizza Payaa. Everything we do has painstaking attention to detail to ensure that love is felt in every bite or sip!