Try handmade pizzas by Kochi couple Sanoop and Jithu George

From the outside, Adam’s Pizza does not look like a takeaway restaurant. One might easily pass it by without knowing it is a pizzeria. But the regulars know it, students and IT professionals, too, know of it.

Adam’s Pizza is a slice of passion and love for Sanoop AK and Jithu George. Opened on March 16, 2019, this quaint pizzeria is more than just a place to grab a quick bite — it’s a testament to the power of reinvention, hard work, and what family means. As a new business during COVID-19, they continued receiving orders but the second wave hit them hard, but now they are doing good.

Sanoop, was chef de partie in Saudi Arabia, working at the Ibis, in Riyadh, a property of the Accor Group, when the desire to do something more took over. His true calling, he felt, was always in the kitchen, experimenting with flavours and creating innovative dishes. This love for baking and a desire to create something of his own led him to take the bold decision to leave his secure job abroad and return to Kochi.

A dream come true

With his wife, Jithu, a nurse, Sanoop set out to open a pizzeria that would reflect their shared dream. They named it Adam’s Pizza after their six-year-old son. The restaurant is small, but its impact is anything but. The couple’s dedication is evident in every corner, dish, and the way they interact with customers.

Sanoop’s innovative pizza-making approach includes fresh pizza dough made of wheat and barley. The toppings range from lamb pepperoni to paneer, mushroom and corn.

When you walk in, you are greeted by the aroma of freshly-baked pizza dough and fresh oregano. The oven, the only one there, occupies the pride of place in the 220 sq. foot kitchen. On it are stacked empty pizza boxes.

The first slice of pizza I try is the BBQ chicken pizza, the crowd favourite. I also pick up a slice of warm, fresh-off-the-oven garlic bread. While the sizzling hot pizza was delicious, the garlic bread could have had a little more garlic.

After all, there’s no such thing as too much garlic. It had a melted layer of cheese on top which gave it crunch. Since they do not serve any drinks other than Coca-Cola, I happily settled for cold water. The small workstation is bustling with both the enthusiasm and passion of the couple, and occasionally of Adam, when he drops by to ‘help’ his parents.

The BBQ pizza at Adam’s Pizza
| Photo Credit:
RK Nithin

Munching on a slice of pizza I ask Sanoop, “why pizza?” He replies with a half smile, “Because it is fresh to make and safe to give to the customer. The work is hard and time-consuming, of course, but as a fast food, it is much more satisfying. And my son loves pizza too.” He believes that Kakkanad’s proximity to Infopark and the tech hub attracts a lot more hungry customers, especially in the after office hours.

Jithu, too, plays an integral role in the pizzeria’s success, running the front-of-house with warmth and efficiency. When asked what made them start the restaurant, she says, “It was always Sanoop’s dream. And he always loved to experiment in the kitchen. He learnt most of the recipes himself and perfected them over the years in the kitchens he worked in while in Saudi Arabia. This is a family business. We prioritise quality over quantity. I am only here on the weekends. He is here everyday,” says Jithu. The ingredients are locally sourced and are prepared at home. They do everything themselves, the equipment is bought locally as well, “It is safer to buy equipment locally as it is easier to repair if there is any damage,” says Sanoop as he places toppings on a pizza.

As I was finishing my BBQ pizza, Sanoop was already pulling out a cheese burst pizza from the hot oven.

Cheese lover’s dream

It is a cheese lover’s dream-come-true with its cream cheese oozing crust. A firm base loaded with chicken, sliced black olive, jalapenos, tomato and capsicum — a cheese coma assured. It might not be everyone’s slice of pizza but cheese fans will love it. Another interesting item on the menu is the folded pizza (₹140) — another innovation by Sanoop.

There is plenty for the vegetarian as well. The price depends on the size and the toppings. A small pizza costs ₹200, medium and large ₹320 and ₹400 respectively. The price for two is between ₹400 to ₹600. The portion sizes are filling for an average eater. The price depends on the size and the toppings. The package and delivery are always on the go and evenings are usually the busiest time for them. 

“Delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato have been game changers for us,” says Sanoop, as he carefully slides a pizza into the oven. “While we do have customers who come in, it’s the food delivery culture that truly powers our small-scale business.” It is also open for pick up.  

They are closed on Mondays. His expansion dream is about to fulfilled. He will be moving from the place where it all started to a new restaurant Sanoop plans on expanding his place to a better experience for his customers, with ample parking space too.

Since it is a two-person show, does he plan to hire staff? “It is always exciting to hire and train staff, But I love being in the kitchen. So no matter how big we grow, I’ll always be in my kitchen,” Sanoop says.

The couple’s synergy is palpable as they juggle the demands of a small business with the joys and challenges of raising a family. In a world dominated by big chains and cookie-cutter franchises, Adam’s Pizza is a refreshing reminder that good things can come in small packages.

Adam’s Pizza is at Khadeeja Tower on Civil Line Road, Thrikkakara. Call 9383413784