Owner/founder, James Beard Award Winner, and social advocate are all titles that can be applied to Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, author of We the Pizza: Slangin' Pies and Savin' Lives. We the Pizza is as fascinating as it is inspiring. While presenting outstanding recipes for award winning pizza, it also tells the story of Down North Pizza, and the history of incarceration in America, particularly from a racial point of view. The author states in the opening line of his introduction that "1 in 3 black men his age" will have been incarcerated at some point in their lives. Down North Pizza provides jobs, fair wages, legal support, and even a place to live if it's needed.
This is important because Down North Pizza is exclusively owned and operated by the formerly incarcerated. It is a place of second chances, redemption, and delicious pizza. There is also a considerable amount of local pride involved in this shop. Working out of a North Philadelphia neighborhood, Down North primarily provides Detroit style pizza with a Philly spin. It's said to be the best Detroit style pizza outside the Motor City. The pizzas are even named after songs by Philadelphia artists. The book comes with a Spotify playlist of some of their favorites.
As for the food, high demand and top notch reviews speak for themselves. I haven't yet had a chance to cook anything from this book, but I plan to as soon as I have a moment to collect the ingredients. My kids love pizza, so they might actually eat this one!
We the Pizza has a fine collection of recipes from pizza to wings to shakes and more. Included with these recipes are the stories of individuals fortunate enough to work for Mr. Abdul-Hadi. These stories of growing up, serving time, and turning their lives around add a human dimension that should make this book a "must read," especially when you pair it with award winning food.
It's been years since I've made pizza from scratch, and without sufficient direction the result wasn't too pleasing. But something tells me this book, with its easy recipes and great stories, will leave me coming back again and again hungry for more.