Our Story
Where Every Slice Tells A Story
Behind every slice is husband-and-wife team Chef Paul and Hostess Kate. He brings fine dining precision and authentic American recipes; she brings the warm, playful hospitality that makes you feel instantly at home. Together, they've created more than a restaurant – they've built a place where pizza is elevated without being pretentious, where quality is non-negotiable, and where every guest becomes part of the Deep End family.
Thank You Melbourne & Friends
We're beyond thrilled to announce that Deep End Pizza has been crowned with TimeOut Melbourne's People's Choice Award for Best Restaurant 2025! This isn't just our win – it's a victory for every pizza lover who's taken the plunge with us into the deep end of authentic American pizza.
Without your adventurous palates, your willingness to see pizza as more than just a quick meal, and your passionate support, none of this would be possible. From Chef Paul's dough-covered hands to Kate's warm welcomes, we're sending massive thanks to everyone who voted and continues to make our little 62-seat restaurant feel like the biggest thing in town.
Photo Credit: Carmen Zammit
From Culinary School Dream to Lockdown Reality
Some things are just meant to be. Deep End Pizza isn't just a restaurant – it's the culmination of a journey that began decades ago in a New England Culinary School Vermont assignment called "The History of Pizza." That's where American Chef Paul Kasten first sketched out his dream: a pizzeria serving multiple authentic regional styles, each with its own dedicated dough, technique, and preparation. Little did he know that 20 years later, this school project would become his life's work.
Photo Credit: @patopateron
Chef Paul's original "History of Pizza" Culinary Assignment in 2006.
When Life Gives You Lockdown...
When Melbourne's quiet lockdown streets emptied and visa constraints pushed Paul out of the fine dining kitchens he'd called home, he found himself wrestling with life's big questions: What brings true happiness? What ignites the soul?
The answer was waiting in those old culinary school notes. With newfound time and purpose, Paul dove headfirst into the deep end (see what we did there?), devoting the next two years to perfecting his first three regional pizza styles. Every recipe was infused with equal parts nostalgia, technical precision, and pure love of the craft.
Photo Credit: @patopaterson
Chef Paul testing the first of his signature Chicago Stuffed Deep Dish pizza during lockdown 2020.
Coming Home
The search for Deep End's home led Paul and his Melbourne-native wife Kate to a quaint spot on Westgarth Street, Fitzroy, with its own touch of destiny – a former cafe known as Hammer and Tong, where they had their first date years earlier.
With determination, a tiny budget, and tons of help from friends and loved ones, Deep End Pizza opened its doors in June 2022. The rest, as they say, is delicious history.
For those that have visited, table 10 is where the magic started for these two.
No Compromises, Ever
From single-origin, single-varietal flours produced by small Australian family farms to the perfect blend of cheeses and tomatoes, no stone (or pizza stone) has been left unturned in our quest for pizza perfection. Our philosophy is simple:
If there's a better ingredient, we'll buy it – regardless of price.
If there's a technique that makes the pizza even slightly better, we'll do it – regardless of the extra work.
If there's something we can do to turn your meal into a lifetime memory, consider it done – because at Deep End, we're not just feeding stomachs, we're creating stories worth telling.
Photo Credit: Kit Edwards
More Than Just Pizza
From that first slice served, Paul and Kate realised that Deep End Pizza wasn't just about food – it was about creating moments. The joy reflected on customers' faces with that first bite confirmed they'd created something special.
After spending 20 years in fine dining restaurants locked away in back kitchens – where feedback often came only when someone didn't like something – Deep End's open pass has been a revelation for Chef Paul. Now he can witness firsthand the smiles, the wide eyes, and those magical "OMG" moments when people taste his creations. Because pizza isn't just food – it's happiness served by the slice.
With warm American-style hospitality meeting Australian charm, every visit to Deep End feels like coming home. Whether you're an American seeking a taste of home, a pizza adventurer excited to try something new, or simply craving a slice of comfort that blows away your expectations, our door is always open.
And now, we're inviting you to be part of that story. Pull up a chair at our table – there's always room for one more in the Deep End family.
Photo Credit: Kit Edwards