Hakki Akdeniz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hakki Akdeniz
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| Born | February 1, 1984 Silvan, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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| Occupation | Restaurateur, pizza chef |
Hakki Akdeniz is an American restaurateur. He was born in Turkey on February 1, 1984. He is well-known for creating the Champion Pizza chain in New York City.
Hakki Akdeniz's Journey
Hakki Akdeniz was born in Turkey in 1984. He grew up in a large family with many brothers and sisters. From a young age, he worked in restaurants. He learned how to make a special flatbread called lahmajoun.
In 1997, Hakki moved to Montreal, Canada. He worked at his brother's pizza shop there. Later, in 2001, he moved to New York City. He hoped to live with a friend, but his plans changed. For about three months, he had no permanent home. He stayed in a hotel, at Grand Central Station, and in a shelter.
Even without a home, Hakki kept working hard. He washed dishes and learned to make pizzas. He saved all the money he could. His dream was to open his very own restaurant. In 2009, he finally opened his first pizza shop in Manhattan.
Becoming a Pizza Champion
For several years, Hakki entered pizza-making contests. In late 2010, he won the New York Pizza Showcase. He impressed everyone with his amazing tricks. He could even spin pizza dough while it was on fire!
Winning this contest made him famous. He was featured on the cover of PMQ, a magazine about pizza. This helped him get a special green card to live in the U.S. The New York Times newspaper called him a "pizza celebrity." People knew him for his exciting dough-tossing skills.
Helping Others
Even after becoming successful, Hakki never forgot his past. He stayed involved with groups that help people without homes. He often donated pizzas and other services to shelters.
In 2019, he received the Beacon Award. This award honors people who have made great contributions. In 2022, he also received the Great Immigrant Award. These awards celebrate his achievements and his positive impact.
Champion Pizza Chain
Hakki Akdeniz opened his first Champion Pizza shop in late 2009. It was located on Essex Street in Lower Manhattan. At first, the business was a bit difficult. But everything changed after he won the 2010 New York Pizza Showcase.
He got a lot of attention from the news. People started calling him "Champion Pizza." So, he named his business Champion Pizza. He also shared his inspiring story with his customers. By 2024, there were 15 Champion Pizza locations. Most of them are in New York City. However, you can also find Champion Pizza shops in Texas and Florida.
Champion Pizza is known for its thin crust. They offer many different toppings. You can buy their pizzas at the shops. They also sell frozen pizzas in stores.
