Firewood pizza maker Muhammad Afiq learns tips, techniques from Youtube

KOTA BHARU, Nov 24 -- Who would have thought that by only using the social media platform Youtube channel as a source of reference, Kota Bharu-born Muhammad Afiq Hamidi, 23, is now a firewood pizza entrepreneur.

Muhammad Afiq said that the idea of making pizza using firewood was mooted a month ago by his father, Hamidi Hasan, 50, who suggested to him that he should start the business as a source of income.

“My father was a contractor prior to this but he could not work and lost his source of income after a stroke two years ago.

“So, my father spent a lot of time watching Youtube and one day he watched a video on making pizza using firewood.

“My father suggested that I make pizza using the method. Coincidently, I have also lost my income selling fried chicken, after the business had to be closed in September due to rising chicken prices,” he told reporters at the Pasir Hor Firewood Pizza, recently.

Muhammad Afiq, the eldest of five siblings, admitted that it was not easy to dabble in the new venture because he had no knowledge about it whatsoever, and turned to Youtube to seek know-how from several chefs.

“Initially, the dough produced was anything but pizza dough, but I did not give up. I continued until I achieved the pizza which meets the required taste.

“I need about 10 kilogrammes of wheat flour a day to produce over 50 pizzas of various flavours, such as beef pepperoni and tuna which are sold from RM20 to RM35 each,” said Muhammad Afiq, who currently employs four workers.

Muhammad Afiq said that among the specialities of his firewood pizza was the aroma evoked by the burning firewood, apart from using his own recipes.

He said he only used firewood from rambutan trees, which produced a consistent fire and had a pleasant aroma.

“I will top up the firewood supply every two weeks, which are bought from villagers at about RM50 but some villagers gave it away for free.

“It takes three minutes to bake the pizza using firewood compared to using a conventional oven which takes up to 15 minutes.

“To date, I also have two brick ovens which are specifically used to bake pizza. Each can bake three pizzas at any one time,” said Muhammad Afiq, who could take home RM1,500 a day.

One of the customers met, Muhammad Luqman Al-Hakim, 19, from Kampung Telok, Bachok, said that the firewood pizza was his choice because it has an aroma and unique deliciousness.

“It is hard to find pizzas which are baked using traditional methods nowadays. Only the firewood pizza at Pasar Hor is to my liking because its dough stays soft even after it has cooled,” he added.

-- BERNAMA