News: Pizzatainment has all the ingredients for business success

Pizza chef, Danny West has set up an unique business to teach children about the value of nutrition by showing them how to make stone-baked Italian pizzas after receiving help from the Rotherham Enterprise Project.

Danny, a former Sheffield University student, said: "I began studying to be a music teacher as I really enjoy working with children. But being passionate about food and working as a part time chef made me realise that it's important for kids out there to know how to cook and have the right diet.

"It's going brilliantly now, but setting up was difficult and I don't think I would have carried on with Pizzatainment if the Rotherham Enterprise Project hadn't offered me grant assisted premises as a base for my business."

The Rotherham Enterprise Project, which is part financed by The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), provided Danny with his own work space at Treeton Youth Enterprise Centre, rent free for six months. The unit has been vital for housing the chef's commercial size dough mixer for his events.

Danny and his team of two other chefs have since worked with schools and youth groups, expanding to teach core subjects by demonstrating fractions with pizza slices and improving literacy with an interactive pizza story book for pupils to write their own stories inside.

The business is currently working with Inspire Rotherham, a group commissioned by Yorkshire Forward to improve literacy levels in Rotherham and are working in schools with the National Health Service. They are also focusing on workshops for corporate team building and Christmas parties.

He added: "I may go back to university at some point to complete my teaching degree but for now Pizzatainment is my focus. Help from the Rotherham Enterprise Project was the best thing that could have happened and I'd recommend them to anyone starting up on their own."

Jackie Frost, from Rotherham Youth Enterprise, added: "We are delighted Danny has found such a unique way to teach young ones valuable life skills in a fun and engaging environment.

"It's clear his determination and brilliant rapport with children has enabled him to go far and we are sure he will have continued success with Pizzatainment."

Pizzatainment website
Rotherham Youth Enterprise website

Images: RYE