Some like it magma hot - 19th May 2021

Pacaya volcano outside Guatemala City is producing lava flows of over 2,300 metres. The flows are slowly reaching the surrounding farmland.

But David Garcia, a local accountant, saw the business potential in this hazardous situation. He’s spending his time developing a second career as a volcanic pizza chef. He’s using the lava flows to cook his special pizzas.

David Garcia: "I put the pizza together one day, I brought it to the volcano and I put it in a hot cave that was approximately 800 degrees and it came out in 14 minutes. So when I tasted the flavour of the pizza cooked with the volcanic heat, I said, ‘This is a good idea. I can start offering a new tourist attraction here in the volcano that is unique’.”

But Garcia’s kitchen presents certain risks. Pacaya is blowing out burning ash, which is carried by the wind. In March, Guatemala City airport 25 kilometres away was covered in ash and had to close.

Volcanic activity has now reduced, which has allowed tourist visits to restart and the kitchen reopen. With protective clothes as a precaution, Garcia is baking with his special pizza pans again.

David Garcia: "But in a river [of lava] I have to make sure that the pizza doesn't drift away, that it doesn't have a high temperature, so it was difficult for me to learn the technique here so as not to take out the burnt pizza. And it is also a risk to be on the shore because it is at a high temperature of 1,500 – 2,000 degrees, so I have to watch the wind direction so it doesn't affect me."

Garcia's fame has spread through social media. The kitchen has become another attraction for Pacaya sightseers. His volcanic pizza is a once in a lifetime opportunity.