Name:

Willy O (William R. Olund)

Pizzeria:

Willy O’s Pizza & Grille
South Haven, MI

Bio:

Willy O, (William R. Olund), was born in Holland, MI in 1952. His family had several restaurants while he was growing up. One of which he managed 3rd shift when he was 15 years old. He has always loved cooking, baking & pizza.

In 1970 he entered the army and served in 1970-1971 as a combat vet in Viet Nam. In the mid 70’s he started working in the environmental test chamber industry in the shipping and painting dept. Within two years he was in field service, start up, repair and in-field construction, encompassing cascade refrigeration, electrical and computer control. He worked 16 years in that industry and had different titles and positions with many companies including part ownership in two. In 1991, he became an electrical contractor and opened his own business. He is also a licensed builder and electrical inspector. After 10 years of a booming business, 911 hit and the housing market crashed.

Willy decided to go back to what he has always loved doing; cooking, baking & PIZZA!. He started in a make shift kitchen in the “game-room” on his farm, where he and his wife used to make pizzas for Christmas gifts for friends and family. He spent 1 ½ years perfecting the pizza he serves today in his restaurant. From the crust up it had to be perfect. Homemade crust, sauce and sausage, hand sliced, fresh veggies and the best cheeses he could find.

Owning commercial property in South Haven, MI, Willy made his floor plans, gathered up his tools and with all his past skills and abilities, renovated the existing building into “Willy O’s Pizza & Grille”. He opened the doors Oct. 31, 2008. Opening day, a man and his 3 year old son came in. He ordered a cup of just the pizza toppings for his little boy. Curious, Willy asked why? Celiac Disease, the same thing Willy’s brother has. Willy told him that he had made a pizza from a mail order kit, for his brother but it didn’t taste very good and it was hard to work with. The man told Willy if he would make a pizza for his son, he’d be forever grateful.

So it was back to the kitchen for 3 more months. Willy blended flours and flour combinations until he found the right one, tasty and crispy, words not usually associated with a gluten free pizza. All who try it love it, and say it’s the best they ever had, so, Willy decided he'd try a pizza contest. The first one he could find was in Ohio. Willy entered with a regular crust and a gluten free crust. Although he didn’t win, he learned what the judges were looking for by being around some of the world’s best pizza makers.

Three weeks later it was on to Las Vegas International Pizza Challenge. Willy applied what he had learned and won. 2nd place in the world in non-traditional, 1st in the US and the only gluten free pizza to ever win in an open crust competition, (applied for the Guiness Book of World Records).

The World Pizza Championship in Italy was next. He was told before he got there that it was totally different and don’t expect to win. Well...they were right but, he really enjoyed the competition anyway. He learned more about the Italian style pizza and made a lot of new friends. Willy will always remember his first competition in Salsomaggiore, where he was asked, and accepted, the honor to be a member of the World Pizza Champions. Life is Great!

What’s next? Pizza, Pizza, Pizza, and more competitions! Continued awareness of the need for great gluten free foods and some free time with his family.