History in the baking: Heavenly Pizza, Chick-fil-A team up

Heavenly Pizza and Chick-fil-A are collaborating to create a one-of-a-kind, authentic Chick-fil-A pizza to benefit charity. Topped with cheese, Chick-fil-A sauce, chicken and waffle fries, the special pizza will be baked on Heavenly Pizza's original dough and will measure 14 inches long. All proceeds from Monday's sale will be donated to Children's Mentoring Connection of Hancock County. The idea for this unique creation occurred when a few employees of Findlay's Chick-fil-A presented their store owner, Paul Hadde, with a viral video of a Chick-fil-A-inspired pizza. Hadde introduced the idea to Heavenly Pizza owner Joshua Elchert, to see if Elchert could re-create the dish. Elchert prepared the pizza as an experiment and allowed both the Chick-fil-A and Heavenly Pizza employees to sample it. After observing that everyone who tried the pizza liked it, Hadde and Elchert proceeded with developing Chick-fil-A Pizza Day, Elchert said. Once the recipe was perfected and Hadde was granted corporate approval, the two business owners decided to sell the pizzas and give the money back to the community. Elchert and his crew will create up to 100 Chick-Fil-A pizzas, which will be sold for $15.50 apiece at Heavenly Pizza, 1404 N. Main St. The pizzas will be available from 3-10 p.m. Monday for pickup only. Elchert said it is necessary for patrons to call ahead before stopping in to get a pizza, so the crew has plenty of time to prepare the order. Each pizza will also be accompanied by a miniature plush cow, courtesy of Chick-fil-A. The money raised from the event will contribute to the general operations of Children's Mentoring Connection. The nonprofit organization provides a professional, monitored mentoring program for children ages 6-14, primarily from single-parent families. "We want to continue to do what we can to be supportive in the community," Elchert said. "Especially with COVID right now, it's so incredibly important that these kids have someone that they can talk to and lift them (up), (and) be encouraging to them." Heavenly Pizza will also bake its original pizzas during Chick-fil-A Pizza Day. For more information, visit Heavenly Pizza's Facebook page, call the store at 419-423-7494 or email ajshpfindlay@gmail.com Douglas: 419-427-8505