Meeting his mentor, Gaetano Fazio known as the "God of Pizza" was a pivotal moment that determined the course of his future.
Believing that the best way to learn Neapolitan pizza from scratch
was to go to Naples and be taught by Neapolitans, he traveled to Italy on a whim.
He was hired by Pizzeria Da Gaetano on the volcanic island of Ischia,
located in the western part of the Bay of Naples.
There, he met his mentor, Gaetano Fazio,
who would go on to significantly change the course of his life.
About six months into his training, his mentor unexpectedly suggested that he participate in "PIZZA FEST" the world competition that determines the best pizzaiolo annually. Without ambition or desire, he entered and passed the preliminary rounds, advancing to the final 26 contestants. The pizza he crafted for the finals was called "Antichi Sapori" (Old-Fashioned Flavors).
The first foreigner to win the Best Individual Award at the world's most prestigious pizza competition.
At that time, he was the first non-Italian recipient, leading many judges to question whether it was appropriate for an Asian to win at such a prestigious competition that upholds 300 years of tradition. However, his mentor firmly stated that since he came to Naples and learned Neapolitan pizza from Neapolitans, the pizza he made was undoubtedly "Pizza Napoletana."
Makoto Onishi
１９７５年奈良県生まれ。
高校卒業後、イタリア料理人を目指し、地元の奈良から大阪、東京と修業を重ねる。
東京で、勉強のために食べ歩いた１軒「サヴォイ」でマルゲリータを食べ、衝撃を受けた。
２００２年３月に渡伊。イスキア島「ダ・ガエターノ」でピッツァ修業を開始。
日本ナポリピッツァ職人協会 初代会長就任
Makoto Onishi
1975 Born in Nara Prefecture.
After graduating from high school, he aspired to become an Italian chef and trained in Nara, Osaka, and Tokyo. In Tokyo, he was deeply impressed by the Margherita pizza he had at "Savoy" while studying different restaurants.
In March 2002, he traveled to Italy and began his pizza training at Da Gaetano on Ischia Island.
2003 Won the Best Individual Award as the first foreigner at "PIZZA FEST 03."
2004 Joined Wise Table Corporation and was appointed Group Primo Pizzaiolo.
2006 Won the Best Technical Award at "PIZZA FEST 06."
2007 Won second place in the overall category at "PIZZA FEST 07."
2008 Won third place in the overall category at "PIZZA FEST 08."
2012 Established the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani in Giappone and became the first president of the Japanese Neapolitan Pizza Artisans Association.