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Pi Executive Chef Dave Harper is not new to the pizza game. He’s been producing pies professionally since he was 15 years old. Here, he tells us why he loves his work and how to make a great pizza at home.
So, how did you become a pizza chef?
I started when I was 15 at a place called Bella’s [Harper is from Washington, MO]. I’ve always been drawn primarily to pizza. They’re easy, not simple, but easy.
What sets Pi apart from other pizza places?
You can’t find a crust this good anywhere in St. Louis. We do a cornmeal crust and no one else has that. Plus, there’s the eco-friendly aspect of what we do. We try to go with local products; our recycling bins get picked up twice as much as our trash – that’s how much we recycle. And we also go with draft beer to cut down on bottle waste and invest in wind energy.
You told me earlier that you’ve worked with some national pizza chains, why did you make the switch to a local spot?
I prefer working for these guys rather than large corporate types. The people I work for are really cool, and if there’s a problem we can sit and talk about it. There’s no paper work to fill out and then waiting for someone to get back to you. And, I don’t exactly feel like I’m doing something good for the environment, but I do feel like I’m doing something less bad than when I worked at the chains.
What can we expect next from Pi?
We just introduced a gluten-free crust and we’re working on a gluten-free gooey butter cake, too, since it’s a St. Louis thing. We’ve also gotten vegan cheese, meat and crust. And we’re working on a new location in Kirkwood. It’s good, but turning someone else’s kitchen into your own is hard work!
If I’m making pizza from scratch at home, what’s the most important factor?
The sauce and the crust. The crust is the foundation, which is why I think our deep dish is so popular. And the sauce is where all the flavor comes from. If you have good sauce and crust you can throw anything on top and it’ll work.
What feeling do you want people to take with them when they leave Pi?
Satisfied and full!
