Accountant's lava pizza - 19th May 2021

A short distance from Guatemala City, the eruption of Pacaya volcano, spewing out lava and ash, sees flows now reaching over 2,300 metres slowly encroach onto agricultural land that sits in its shadow.

Viewed solely as a threat by many, accountant David Garcia sees the eruption’s financial prospects. Following a moment of inspiration, Garcia forged a plan to create a unique culinary experience, using the searing heat of the slow-flowing magma to bake lava-infused 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’.”

Nevertheless, some hazards of Garcia’s new calling come with the territory, including scorching ash ejected from Pacaya's crater. Carried on high winds, this ash coated Guatemala City in March, forcing the airport’s closure.

As calmer levels of volcanic activity have now made the site more predictable, it’s less precarious for day-trippers. Returning to his igneous kitchen, Garcia dons protective garments before reaching over the lava flows to dig out his specialised pizza pans.

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."

The culinary daredevil has quickly gained a reputation, with news spreading through social media and many eager for a taste of the volcanic chef’s magmatic pizza.

However, anyone thinking of copying Garcia shouldn’t bite off more than they can chew!