Gigi’s Pizzeria owner Daniel Semrani reveals why Jamie Oliver has been ‘obsessing’ over inner west Sydney restaurant

How do you get one of the world’s most famous chefs “obsessing” over your pizza. This Sydney restauranter says it’s all in the science … and about 10 years of trial and error.

How do you get one of the world’s most famous chefs “obsessing” over your pizza?

According to inner west restauranter Daniel Semrani, it’s all in the science … and about 10 years of trial and error.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s trip down under has attracted a lot of eyeballs, but the best-selling cookbook author had his sights set on one place in particular.

While Mr Oliver’s appearance on Saturday at Gigi’s Pizzeria in Balmain may have surprised some, Mr Semrani told this masthead it had been a long time in the making.

“I had posted videos to my Instagram and he would message me saying how amazing it looks,” Mr Semrani said.

Celebrity Jamie Oliver has been "obsessing" over a Balmain pizza.

“It’d been about a year-and-a-half that we’d been communicating and he’d told me that when he’s in Sydney he’d have to come to our place and try the pizza.

“He was really interested in what we do because it is a unique product.”

Restaurateur Daniel Semrani with Jamie Oliver at Gigi’s in Balmain.

But what makes this pizza so special?

According to Mr Semrani, his recipe has been perfected over 10 years and has not been replicated elsewhere.

“Our signature dish at Gigi’s is obviously the pizza and we sort of focus on the dough,” he said.

“The beauty of the product is it’s between a Roman and Apollo pizza, that softness paired with that crunch.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in Sydney this week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It’s been a 10-year project until I was comfortable and confident with what I do scientifically.

“I’ve got everything from the fridge and the dough room’s temperature controlled so I get the same product every time.”

Amassing nearly 100,000 Instagram followers, Gigi’s is often booked out.

But when Mr Oliver messaged seeking a table at short notice, Mr Semrani knew he “had to get it done”.

Jamie Oliver and Daniel Semrani with his parents.

“He messaged me saying ‘short notice, but do you have a table available for us?’” the Balmain restaurateur said.

“It was about two days before and he was looking to come on a Friday.

“And I pretty much made it happen. You’ve got to get that one done.”

After finally tasting a few slices, Mr Oliver took to Instagram, revealing he had been “obsessing” over it and that it was some of the “best pizza” he had ever had.

Daniel Semrani with My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel at Gigi's in Balmain.

The praise “didn’t feel real” to Mr Semrani.

“I would never have thought that this would happen,” he said.

“I’ve been following him since I was young, and it was just an unreal moment to have him there.

“He was so humble and for me to go to his table and talk to him was insane.”

Earlier this year, an Italian judging panel that ranks the world’s top pizzerias rated Gigi’s the fifth best in Australia.

Daniel Semrani took 10 years perfecting his recipe.

Mr Oliver is also not its first celebrity chef guest, with others such as My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel having visited in the past.

However, Mr Semrani insisted the restaurant hadn’t always been a viral sensation, attributing its recent success to the 10 years spent perfecting his recipe.

“No one taught me this, I’m all self-learnt,” he said.

“I’ve been in business 14 years, but everyone sort of discovered me a year ago when I found this recipe.

“No one had heard of me.”