Gracey’s Pizza | St Albans & London, United Kingdom

James Woodley

James Woodley, co-founder of Gracey’s Pizza, turned a love of making pizza for friends and family into a growing business with his partner Grace Surman.

Before committing to pizza full-time, both worked in education — Grace as a secondary-school teacher and James as a specialist teacher for a local authority. James also brought experience from London kitchens including the Camberwell Arms and Brunswick House. His cooking was already making an impression: at a party the couple hosted, guests mistook him for a hired caterer.

After moving out of London, James and Grace began experimenting with pizzas in their garden. In December 2020, they started selling locally from a makeshift kitchen beside a car wash, with James making the pies and Grace looking after customers. James initially balanced the venture with his teaching job, cooking during evenings and weekends as word spread.

In 2021, they opened their first shop in Chiswell Green, St Albans. Vintage jazz posters and hand-painted signage gave the space its character. A challenging first year tested their resolve, but hours spent refining the dough, ingredients and bake gradually helped Gracey’s find its audience.

Their pizza draws inspiration from New Haven’s crispy, well-baked pies, New York traditions and seasonal Italian cooking. US cheese blends feature alongside carefully chosen Italian ingredients, reflecting an approach that welcomes influences from both sides of the Atlantic. James and Grace continue to explore different flavours and textures, building a style of their own rather than confining themselves to one tradition.

From those early weekend beginnings, Gracey’s has grown to include three London locations at Arcade Battersea, Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden. Along the way, James and Grace have also become parents, building a family alongside their business.


As a PizzaMaster Ambassador, James brings culinary curiosity, practical experience and a willingness to share what he has learned with fellow pizza makers.