Chef Tsubasa Tamaki. More Than a Pizza. A Studio for Craft.
- PST
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22
"I don't simply want to make great pizza. I want to create great pizza craftsmen."
— Chef Tsubasa Tamaki
When people first hear the name Pizza Studio Tamaki, they often assume it describes a place where pizza is made.
For Chef Tsubasa Tamaki, it means something much bigger.
Just as a dance studio develops dancers or an art studio nurtures artists, Pizza Studio Tamaki was founded to develop pizza craftsmen — people who dedicate themselves to mastering their craft through curiosity, discipline and continuous learning.
That vision has guided Chef Tamaki from the very beginning.
With the opening of Pizza Studio Tamaki in Sydney, Australia becomes part of that journey.
A Different Kind of Japanese Pizza
Chef Tamaki's pizzas are inspired by Tokyo's modern pizza culture while remaining deeply connected to Japanese craftsmanship.
Every pizza begins with an original flour blend imported from Japan. The dough is carefully fermented before being stretched by hand and baked at extremely high temperatures.
The result is instantly recognisable.
A light, airy crust with delicate blistering and a distinctive char around the edge.
To some, those dark spots might look overcooked.
To Chef Tamaki, they are essential.
"The char creates aroma," he explains. "It gives the pizza another layer of flavour."
That roasted fragrance is one of the characteristics that helped Pizza Studio Tamaki earn international recognition, including being ranked among The Best Pizza Awards Top 100 and receiving the Best Pizza Experience Award in Milan.
Inspired by Japan
One of Chef Tamaki's favourite memories growing up in Japan was watching mochi toast over heat.
As it cooks, the rice cake gently expands, becoming light, soft and beautifully aromatic.
That image still guides the way he makes pizza today.
Rather than chasing heaviness, every decision — from stretching the dough to baking the pizza, is designed to create a crust that is crisp on the outside, airy within and remarkably easy to eat.
It is this balance that defines Tamaki-style Japanese Neapolitan pizza.
The Flavour of Okinawa
Chef Tamaki's roots are never far from his cooking.
His dough is seasoned with mineral-rich Okinawan salt, carefully chosen not only for seasoning but for the way it enhances the natural flavour of the wheat and complements the roasted notes of the crust.
Those same flavours make another pairing especially meaningful.
Why Orion Beer Belongs Beside the Pizza
Chef Tamaki grew up in Okinawa, home of Orion Beer.
Although he says he isn't a big drinker, Orion has always been his favourite beer.
Being able to introduce both his pizza and his hometown beer to people around the world is something he considers a privilege.
"My pizza uses Okinawan salt," he says. "When you enjoy it together with Orion Beer, they complement each other beautifully."
It's more than a pairing.
It's two expressions of Okinawa coming together on the same table.
The Signature — or the Chef's Favourite?
If you're visiting Pizza Studio Tamaki for the first time, Chef Tamaki recommends beginning with the restaurant's signature pizza.
The Tamaki Pizza combines smoked cheese with sweet Italian Datterini tomatoes, creating a beautifully balanced expression of the restaurant's philosophy.
But ask Chef Tamaki what he orders himself, and the answer is different.
"The Arrabbiata," he smiles.
Its vibrant tomato sauce and gentle chilli heat make it his personal favourite. A pizza with just enough spice to keep you reaching for another bite.
A Vision That Reaches Beyond Sydney
For Chef Tamaki, opening in Australia is not simply about opening another restaurant.
It is another chapter in a much larger vision.
To train exceptional pizza craftsmen.
To share Japanese craftsmanship with the world.
To continue refining a style of pizza that is uniquely his own.
And to welcome every guest with a slice of Japan.
Because Pizza Studio Tamaki has never been just about pizza.
It has always been about people, purpose and the pursuit of better craftsmanship.
