Alex Ackerman

Food has always been a large part of my life, from childhood meals at Don Peppe’s in Ozone Park to the incredible dishes my great-grandmother and grandparents made for Jewish holidays. Cooking started as a way to recreate those flavors at home, and over time, it became a true passion. Watching Chef’s Table on Netflix and Eater’s Mise en Place series deepened my appreciation for fine dining and pushed me to refine my skills. Now, I’m constantly striving to become the best!

Pizza! Growing up in NYC, I was spoiled with great pizza, but going to school in State College, PA, I quickly realized how much I missed it. So, I started making my own using a sourdough starter and a three-day fermentation process to perfect the crust. I’m always refining the recipe, but it’s worth the effort. Pizza is a blank canvas, from classic tomato and mozzarella to fig jam and bacon. It reflects where I’ve been and where I’m going!

I’d use the $25K to launch a pizza pop-up from my apartment at school, bringing authentic NYC-style pizza to students who don’t have access to it. The funds would help me source high-quality ingredients that aren’t available locally and invest in essential equipment. This would allow me to refine my craft, share my passion with others, and take a meaningful step toward turning it into something bigger!