Hakki Akdeniz

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Hakki Akdeniz
Hakki Akdeniz.jpg
Born (1980-02-05) February 5, 1980 (age 41)
Silvan, Turkey
NationalityKurdish
OccupationRestaurateur
Years active2009-present

Hakki Akdeniz (born February 5, 1980), is a Kurdish philanthropist and restaurateur from New York City. He is best known for being the owner and founder of the pizzeria chain Champion Pizza and Hakki's in New York City.[1]

Career[]

Hakki Akdeniz was born in Silvan, Turkey. At a young age, Akdeniz and his family worked in a pide store in town, where he learned how to make dough. In 1997, Akdeniz and his family moved to Canada and in 2001 Akdeniz moved to New York City where he worked at a pizzeria until 2005. In 2009 he founded and opened Hakki Pizza which was later renamed Champion Pizza in Manhattan.[2] [3]

Hakki Akdeniz is showing his skill.

In 2016, his pizzeria Champion Pizza received media attention by giving away free pizza in honor of the late Carrie Fisher.[4] In 2017, Akdeniz received media attention by offering jobs to immigrants at his pizzeria.[5] Later in 2017, he received national attention by selling a "Trump Pizza" with all proceeds going to a local homeless shelter.[6][7][8] In 2018 and 2019, his local philanthropy was recognized by receiving several proclamations from the New York State Assembly.[9]

In February 2019, Akdeniz interviewed with Fox 5 New York, also known as WNYW. The interview documented Akdeniz's acts of philanthropy and the expansion of his pizza chain, Champion Pizza.[10] In 2020, Akdeniz gained national attention by being featured in commercial ad for Super Bowl LIV.[11]

Awards and honors[]

  • In 2019, he received the Beacon Award from The American Immigrant Society.[12][13]

References[]

  1. ^ A, A (July 21, 2015). "From living on the streets to pizzeria king". Daily Sabah. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Choice, Editor's (August 8, 2018). "He Was Once Homeless But Now Has Pizza Chain in New York". Al Bawaba. Retrieved August 28, 2019. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ Homa, Ava (January 2, 2017). "Kurdish pizza champion inspires Americans". Kurdistan 24. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Rothman, Michael (December 28, 2016). "New York Pizzeria Owner Pays Tribute to Carrie Fisher With Free Slices". ABC News. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  5. ^ Schapiro, Rich (February 1, 2017). "NYC pizzeria owner who came to U.S. as a refugee offers 100 jobs to immigrants: 'It's about being human'". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  6. ^ Fanrouge, Gabrielle (January 19, 2017). "This gold 'Trump' Pizza will make thousands for shelter". New York Post. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  7. ^ Marshall, Wyatt (January 20, 2017). "Why This Turkish Immigrant is Selling a $5,000 "Trump Pizza"". VICE. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  8. ^ @globaltimesnews (19 January 2017). "Champion Pizza shop owner Hakki Akdeniz layout edible gold leaf and caviar on the $5,000 "Trump Helps the Homeless" pizza" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Agency, Anadolu (August 8, 2018). "Turkish Pizza maker receives 4 proclamations in US". Hurriyet Daily News. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  10. ^ Formoso, Jessica (February 6, 2019). "Meet the man behind the Champion Pizza chain: Hakki Akdeniz had a dream when he left Turkey, to someday own a pizzeria". Fox 5 NY. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  11. ^ Shiff, Blair (February 3, 2020). "Budweiser Super Bowl commercial features pizza mogul who used to be homeless". Fox Business. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  12. ^ "The Beacon Awards Honorees". The American Immigrant Society. January 10, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  13. ^ Agency, Anadolu (January 12, 2019). "Turkish pizza maker awarded for US immigration success". Daily Sabah. Retrieved August 28, 2019.

Further reading[]

External links[]

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