Spotlight on Professionals

Here you can read about and be inspired by some exciting profiles within the bakery, pastry, and pizza industries. We believe it's important to highlight the skilled and creative bakers and pastry chefs to showcase the expertise and incredible craftsmanship these professional groups possess. It's one way to attract more youths and others interested in baking to pursue careers in these fields.

Ali Charour Pizza Chef Competing Personal Sveba Dahlen

Riccardo Birghillotti

Pizza making has always been a big part of Riccardo Birghillotti’s life, having grown up in Florence, Italy where his father and uncle ran a restaurant in the heart of the city. It was there and then that Riccardo laid the foundation for his career with an extra helping of his love for pizza.

Ali Chahrour

Competing in pizza making is something that Ali is very familiar with. His love for pizza has taken him to many countries around the world, and in addition to learning how to keep his competitive nerves in check, he has also made many friends and acquaintances in the industry.

Sofie Loirendal

Sofie's journey in becoming a pizza maker was out of the ordinary. She was living in Stockholm, working as a project manager in marketing and advertising, but as the family grew, the decision was made to move to Öland where she became involved in local politics. Alongside politics, Sofie also tried her hand at working in the local bakery with a summer job at Kaffestugan i Böda, and she really enjoyed it.

Pizza Chef Jonny Yuksel Sweden I Love Pizza Restaurant Spotlight on Professionals Sveba Dahlen

Jonny Yüksel

Jonny Yüksel loves pizza! So much so that, together with his dad and brothers, he has built the restaurant chain I Love Pizza, which, in addition to pizza, serves hearty salads and excellent kebab dishes. Today, the I Love Pizza restaurant chain consists of no less than 10 restaurants.

Josef Hakimi

Josef Hakimi has, over his 33 years in the pizza industry, evolved into a true master and a legendary figure within the craft. Josef's journey began in 1997 when he opened his first pizzeria, laying the groundwork for a series of outstanding achievements as he was ambitious and honed his skills in the craft.

Mikael Pizza-Micke Lundgren Jury World Pizza Champion Games Sveba Dahlen

Mikael Lundgren in the jury for Campionato del mondo di pizza

It was with honor, pride and ambition that our colleague Mikael “Pizza-Micke” Lundgren accepted the invitation to participate as a jury member during the Campionato del mondo di pizza/Pizza Senza Frontiere, in Rimini, Italy, February 18–20, 2024. To serve on the jury, you must either be a former pizza master, trained in professional pizza making or have extensive experience of pizza ingredients, quality and taste.