Kurdish pizza champion inspires Americans

NEW YORK, United States (Kurdistan24) – A world champion of pizza acrobatics and a successful entrepreneur, a Kurdish-American man has inspired many in his adopted home.

Hakki Akdeniz, 36, originally from Silvan, Kurdistan of Turkey, is the owner of the popular Champion Pizza Soho in Manhattan.

His signature Grandma pizza with the secret tomato sauce recipe and his specially picked Parmigiano cheese is the shop’s best seller.

In 2010, he became the world champion in two fields: fastest pizza maker and freestyle acrobatic.

Coming from a modest family and having been through a lot of conflicts and suppression in Turkey in the 90s, Akdeniz said he is grateful to be a resident of the United States and be able to support his family.

Working seven days a week, entertaining children and adults with his acrobatic pizza skills, and holding various events, Akdeniz is loved not only for the food he makes, but also the appreciation and affection he shows.

“I love everyone. I am a simple person,” Akdeniz said, wiping tears. “I have the Green Card [American residency] and can visit my mom. All the money is for my family.”

Akdeniz added he had not forgotten where he came from, with all the economic and ethnic repression him and his family had suffered.

His videos go viral in the United States as he embodies the “American dream,” the grateful immigrant with his story of “rags to riches.”

He hit the US media once again last week when he hosted an event in honor of the famous actress Carrie Fisher, who played Princes Leia in Star Wars and passed away on Tuesday.

Akdeniz offered free pizza to fans who showed up dressed in Star Wars costumes.

The young Kurdish businessman now owns seven pizza stores in the United States.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany