THE SMOKY PIZZA IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF GC
The Jederians have found a niche with their Pizza Shack
Joseph & Silvia Jederian have given birth to one of the most amazing and incredible concepts, the Pizza Shack, a very interesting concept for those who love great food and also want to get out of the city for a few minutes and breath new air. Located on the Kopong/ Gakuto road, the business has been in operation since this April, and it is doing incredibly well.
The Pizza Shack offers locals an opportunity to enjoy mind blowing food, the same type of food that one can enjoy at any of the high- class venues in the city centre. Even more, the cost is very affordable. The couple is still working on refining and adding new dimensions to this wonderful concept. But so far, they have struck gold with the initial phase. Clients have been driving to the location to grab a bite of their authentic home- made pizza, made in an open oven.
Jederian, who is originally from Lebanon, has a wealth of experience when it comes to the restaurant business. His wife is a Motswana from Werda. He has managed some of the top restaurants/ clubs in the city, including Liban Restaurant and Chez Nicholas, which were previously located at iTowers, in the South Tower. He has also worked in a number of leading establishments in top destinations including Malta, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.
Style took a drive to The Pizza Shack this Tuesday afternoon to get a feel about the place. Something worth noting is the fact that while there are places around the city offering street pizza, and your burgers, they are missing a unique feature. This is where The Pizza Shack comes in and the Jederians are capitalizing on that gap, and giving their clients an experience, which is worth every cent and a drive out of the city. Trust us when we say that once you taste their authentic Pizza, choosing from flavours such as Shack Supreme, Seswaa, Mexican, Salami, Vegetarian or even the Chicken and Mushroom, you will have second thoughts about buying pizza anywhere else. For our maiden visit, we ordered the Mexican flavour, and the Chicken and Mushroom, both were delicious. The Pizza base has such a distinctive flavour, and the fire gives it a nice crust and smoky aroma. If you have been eating pizza for a year, you will know that there is a big difference between a pizza made in an oven and one that is made in an open fire. The taste is world apart. Even more incredible is the fact that the couple is meticulous when it comes to the sauces, and the toppings for the pizza, including even the base of the pizza which is made from home. This is to ensure that they give their customers a taste that they can only get from The Pizza Shack. Besides the Pizza, they also have Burgers.
In an interview, Jederian explains that they had toyed with the idea of doing something in the city, and that they had second thoughts about this business when they took into account the fact that there is a lot of people doing almost the same thing. They then decided on this vintage and rustic concept. “We had planned on something in the city but not now,” he says.
When Covid- 19 cases escalated, Jederian who had been working as a consultant in Malta, returned home to join his wife and daughter. He left Botswana in 2019, for better opportunities abroad and had been planning to relocate the family. He also shares that they are still expanding and with features such as a pond, delivery service, as well as other plans to complete this concept.
“Our pizza has that smoky flavour, which is what a lot of our customers really love,” he says, adding that his wife is responsible for the flavours as she makes the sauces and toppings.
Explaining what sets them apart from others, he notes that they make their sauces, and toppings in- house. Other developments in the pipeline would include a braai addition to the menu, but not just any braai. He is looking into tapping into his Mediterranean background to add flavour to the much- loved Braai.
“We strive to be different to what others are offering in the market,” he says.
They are now looking into expanding into areas such as Kasane and Maun. “Our target is the outskirt locations,” he notes.