A Portadown man has opened up his own ‘pop-up’ pizzeria shop after an initial trip to Italy – to learn about the origins and variations of the popular dish – inspired a business idea.
A nine-to-five lorry driver from Portadown, Luke (35) has always had a love for pizza and classes it as his “favourite meal”.
Speaking to Armagh I Luke said his first taste of cooking was in his Granny’s restaurant, where he helped out for many years before taking a step back from the hospitality industry when he got older.
The inspiration behind the business idea came from a road trip around Italy which Luke took with his wife Luiza back in 2018.
After touring around different parts of the renowned pizza capital of the world, it was a stop in a local pizzeria in Naples which kicked off the business plan.
Fascinated by the different flavours and techniques used to create the perfect pizza, Luke was determined to recreate the taste of Italy and bring it to Northern Ireland.
Before going out on his own, Luke operated an outside catering company with his friend, using a gazebo which could be hired out for private events. After a few months the pair decided to part ways – but Luke still had a fiery passion inside him to do more.
This is when Chasing Doughpamine came to life in the summer of 2024.
Determined to make his own entrepreneurial move, Luke spent many months perfecting his recipe through trial and error and watching endless hours of YouTube tutorials.
Wanting the dough to be unique and exclusive to his business, Luke worked tirelessly to find the perfect method that worked for him.
Chasing Doughpamine offers classic Neapolitan pizzas with a light, airy base from dough made from a secret recipe which has been proofed for 48 hours. Each pizza is coated with delicious, tangy tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese with an array of toppings to choose from.
And no meal is complete without a side – with the menu offering fries, topped fries and mozzarella sticks to go alongside your pizza.
Unique to their menu , Chasing Doughpamine offer ‘fried pizza’. This pizza is formed into a filled calzone before being deep-fat fried. This dish takes inspiration from Southern Italy, with Luke’s cooking method ensuring a crispy outside base and soft, indulgent inside with melted cheese and toppings.
With a full innovative menu and the option to create your own pizza – there’s something for everyone! With Luke recommending ‘The Sweet Inferno’ which mixes sweet and spicy flavours with smoked chicken, ham, pineapple, jalapeno and mushrooms drizzled with a spicy hot honey.
Originally working from his home with a woodfire pizza oven, customers would prebook their food orders days prior and select a collection time. But after a few short weeks, word spread on the taste of Italy in Tandragee and Luke began looking for a permanent spot.
From March 2025, Chasing Doughpamine have been trading from a pitched pop up pizza shop at Annagh United F.C, Portadown every Friday night from 5pm to 8:30pm.
The pop up pizza shop is also available for private rental for any outdoor events.
And with a blazing future ahead, Luke is currently learning and creating different pizza styles with his end goal to open a sit down pizzeria restaurant in the future.
Click here to follow Chasing Doughpamine on Facebook and to check out their menu
Click here to follow Chasing Doughpamine on Instagram
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