Founder of 400 Gradi and more broadly the Gradi Group Johnny Di Francesco got his first job making pizza at the age of 12, motivated by wanting to buy a pair of Nikes that his family couldn’t afford. Soon after, he bought the Nikes and his passion for the art of pizza grew.

After several trips to the motherland, Johnny decided it was time that Australians got a taste of Neapolitan pizza. Cooked at 400 degrees for just 90 seconds, the pizza was a hit. Fresh pasta made by hand and a menu of antipasti and quality Italian fare has made 400 Gradi a household name.

Today, Johnny has gone on to become a widely recognised chef, World No.1 Pizza Champion, mentor, and entrepreneur with regular television appearances in Australia and internationally. He is the author of ‘World’s Best Pizza’ and ‘Food of Naples’, two cookbooks on Neapolitan food and remains passionately involved in each 400 Gradi restaurant as locations expand both locally and internationally.