Cutie Pie is a neighbourhood pizzeria in Hataitai, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington that opened at the end of last year – and offers pizza workshops for those wanting to learn more about making it at home. “We do it for the love of good pizza – making it and teaching others how to make it themselves,” they say.
Here: What makes a good pizza?
CUTIE PIE: For us, a good pizza is one that matches up to the intention of the maker. It could be any shape, any size or any style, there are no hard and fast rules. If it looks and tastes how you hoped it would, and uses ingredients you’re proud of, it is a good pizza.
Here: What makes a good pizza joint?
CP: A good pizza joint should be approach- able, democratic and somewhere you’re excited to recommend to others. A place for the kids to grab a slice after school, a place for date night, a place to take the grandparents for family dinner. Pizza transcends geography, trends and generational tastes, and a good pizza joint should do the same.
Here: How did you want this one to feel?
CP: We wanted a space that would feel nostalgic and lived-in, but also of the moment. The design brief was “soft industrial”. We wanted to preserve the beautiful bones of the space – brick walls, high stud, steel beams – but add some modern touches with the materials we used. We were keen to provide both dinner and a show, with an open kitchen and our pizza makers, equipment and ingredients on full display.
Here: Who did you work with to make it happen?
CP: We assembled the Avengers squad of Wellington tradies, and are fortunate to have talented friends who helped us execute the vision on the tightest of budgets. Big shout-outs, in no particular order, to Doug from Super Standard, Abe from Hedge Furniture, Sam (aka Sure Shot), Uncle Bernie, Andy the duct king, Steve the painter, Zoe the builder, Nick the sparky, and many others.
Cutie Pie Pizza Workshop
31a Waitoa Road, Hataitai, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
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