John Gutekanst

John has worked in restaurants since age 14 beginning as a dishwasher in Chicago Illinois. He worked his way up through the ranks in some of the best fine dining establishments around the United States. John’s ability to think outside the box is an asset when running his businesses, and is deeply immersed in the local community.

John owns 2 pizzerias in Ohio and is called upon each year to be the “Master of Ceremonies” at the largest pizza competition in the world in Las Vegas.

John taught baking at Hocking College and was honored to be inducted into the Best Food Writing Hall of Fame! He writes articles every month in Pizza Today Magazine. John has been featured in National Geographic, Gastronomica, the Columbus Dispatch, and Restaurants & Institutions.

John continues to bake breads and pizza from across the Globe, and he’s he put it, “I bake to differ!” 

• Best Pizza in the USA, World Championships, Italy
• Best Neapolitan Pizza in the USA, World Championships, Italy
• Best Gourmet Pizza, North American Pizza Competition, Ohio
• Best Pasta Dish, USA World Pizza Olympics, Italy
• Best Pizza Midwest, 3 times Winner, World Pizza Expo, Las Vegas

John founded Avalanche Pizza in April 2000, and shows no signs of slowing down. Stop in the shop and say HI!