small business of the year
GILROY
spice of life awards
Straw Hat
PIZZA
Raj Nayyar was born in Punjab, India
and moved to the United States when
he was nine years old. His family settled
in Union City where he attended James
Logan High School and where he cur-
rently resides. After graduating from high
school, Raj attended Ohlone College and
Heald College to take business classes.
Without any prior experience in the food
industry beyond working in fast food,
he went into the restaurant business.
He opened his first Straw Hat Pizza in
Watsonville in 2002 and his second in
Hayward in 2007. Straw Hat Gilroy is his
third location.
Written & Photographed By Craig Lore
24
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SPRING 2020
gmhtoday.com