- The Pizza Pacayá slices are cooked at scorching temperatures of over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Chef David García advertises his pizza creations and pictures of daring visitors on Instagram.
- Ash fallout and lava flows haven’t put visitors off from coming to try this original take on pizza.
If you like the sound of a dangerous hike to eat a steaming, cheesy pizza among incredible views and the smell of embers, then chef David García’s volcanic “Pizza Pacayá” will be right up your street.
Baked on fiery lava rocks at the foot of the mighty Pacayá volcano in Guatemala, this gourmet volcanic dish is cooked in less than 10 minutes.
García, the 34-year-old chef behind this unusual delicacy, wanted to try something different.
Making the most of the fact that the volcano was due to erupt at the beginning of 2021, he launched this original project at the start of the year.
According to Interesting Engineering, the pizzas are cooked on metal trays capable of withstanding scorching temperatures of over 1,800 degrees.
García advertises them on his Instagram account.
He uses the platform to show the world pictures of visitors coming to Pacayá, as well as to showcase his expertise in the craft of volcanic cookery.
David García is no stranger to making pizzas in unorthodox locations; he’s been cooking pizza since 2013.
He used to bake them in small caves on the slopes of the mountainside — almost a decade later, however, he’s moved his business on to a riskier spot.
To bake the pizzas dish, Garcia dons protective gear and military-style boots.
Those who come to sample the goods have to make sure they stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water — as the University of Hawaii at Hilo points out, inhaling volcanic gases can be dangerous.
Pacayá volcano is 2,552 meters high and is located 25 kilometers south of Guatemala City.
Ash fallout and lava flows keep locals in nearby villages on edge and are being monitored by local authorities, but none of this has successfully managed to scare visitors off.
You can watch the whole process in this AFP video.
If you like cheese and volcanoes, this is definitely the pizza for you.