Pizza perfection: Durban couple's championship debut makes culinary wave
David and Ishara Chetty have made waves in the culinary world, taking ninth place at the 2025 World Pizza Championship in Italy.
Image: Supplied
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.
David and Ishara Chetty have made waves in the culinary world, taking ninth place at the 2025 World Pizza Championship in Italy.
Image: Supplied
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Louis Moholo-Moholo, legendary drummer, dies aged 85
Internationally acclaimed drummer Tebogo Louis Moholo-Moholo died on Friday morning after a long illness. He was 85. 'Bra Louis', as he was affectionately referred to, was born on March 10 1940 in Langa in Cape Town. 'He is considered as one of the most important jazz drummers in South Africa, known for his contribution in furthering and developing the form of free jazz. He is respected throughout the world through his time in exile in London and through playing with the iconic jazz group The Blue Notes,' the family said in a statement. It said Bra Louis was more than a pioneering musician — he was also a mentor. 'As a drummer, composer and fearless voice for artistic freedom, Louis inspired generations through his groundbreaking contributions to South African and global jazz. 'From the townships of Cape Town to the stages of London and beyond, his rhythms spoke of resistance, liberation and the boundless power of creativity. He was the last surviving member of The Blue Notes, a group that courageously took their music into exile during apartheid, and became a beacon for cultural expression and solidarity through jazz.' The family said his artistry and spirit were not just heard, but felt deeply across the world. 'We are grateful for the love and support that has already begun to pour in from across the globe.'


eNCA
3 hours ago
- eNCA
'Sarafina!' returns to Soweto
CAPE TOWN - South Africa's youth seemingly has not stopped suffering since the days of Sarafina and her peers, toiling under apartheid oppression. WATCH | Youth Month | South African youth are resilient and resourceful The film celebrates its 33rd anniversary in 2025 and on June is a Youth Month we remember its story, depicting the events of the Soweto Riots in June 1976. Award-winning actress, Leleti Khumalo,unpacks more on about the legancy and significance of Sarafina!

IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
SA Jazz legend Bra Louis dies at 85
Tebogo Louis Moholo-Moholo, also known as Bra Louis, has died at the age of 85 As well as being an icon in the South African Jazz space, he was a torchbearer for artistic freedom. As apartheid tightened its grip in the 1960s, Moholo-Moholo and his bandmates in The Blue Notes took their music into exile, finding refuge and recognition in London. They became powerful symbols of cultural resistance and creative liberation. Moholo-Moholo was a trailblazing drummer and the last surviving member of the legendary group The Blue Notes. He was born on 10 March 1940 in Langa, Cape Town, and rose to become a global icon of free jazz. Tebogo Louis Moholo-Moholo, also known as Bra Louis, has died earlier on Friday, at the age of 85, following a prolonged illness. "Louis was more than a pioneering musician—he was a mentor and a friend. As a drummer, composer, and fearless voice for artistic freedom, Louis inspired generations through his groundbreaking contributions to South African and global jazz," the Moholo-Moholo family said in a statement. "From the townships of Cape Town to the stages of London and beyond, his rhythms spoke of resistance, liberation, and the boundless power of creativity.' 'Spirits Rejoice!' the family concluded—a reference to one of his seminal works and an apt tribute to a life that turned rhythm into resistance. According to the University of Cape Town, he went into exile in 1964 and settled in London. There, he made a significant contribution to British jazz. In 2004, he received the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver from former president Thabo Mbeki for his contribution to the arts. A year later, in 2005, he returned to South Africa and settled in his hometown. 'Bra Louis's legacy remains hidden to so many South Africans, especially the younger generation, because of the political history of this country, which led to him spending such a long time in exile. Therefore, one of the objectives of this legacy project was to bring these hidden stories and his history into the light,' said Nkululeko Mabandla, a lecturer in UCT's Department of Sociology and research associate in the Centre for African Studies. Details of funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. IOL