About Pizza Payaa

Adam is the Chef and Creator of Pizza Payaa. Growing up in Chicago, he developed a lifelong love of pizza, sampling classics from Geppetto’s, Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, and more. A three-day pizza tour in New York City, where he tried over 20 slices, ignited his passion and inspired him to recreate that perfect slice at home.

A dedicated home chef, Adam studied pizza-making, took classes, consulted with New York chefs, and experimented endlessly until he perfected his recipe. In 2020, he was ready to open a restaurant, but a ceiling leak and the onset of COVID delayed his plans. Undeterred, he began sharing his pizzas with friends and family, posting them on Instagram, and quickly built a waiting list of over 2,500 people eager to try his creations.

Eventually, Adam partnered with MassVR to use their kitchen and, after the space became available, launched Pizza Payaa’s flagship location in Uptown Normal. Today, the restaurant combines a warm, inviting atmosphere with a craft cocktail menu, bringing Adam’s love of pizza to the community.