KANSAS CITY — Jhy Coulter, the rising star in the pizza world, has opened her first pizzeria, Orange By: Devoured, in midtown Kansas City.
Coulter’s journey began in 2019 when she won a Gozney Roccbox oven in a giveaway hosted by Chef Matty Matheson. She used the oven to make pizzas in her backyard, eventually leading to pop-up events around Kansas City under the name Devoured. Her big break came in 2022 when she won Hulu’s Best in Dough competition with a pizza topped with crumbled bacon, jalapeño bacon jam, black garlic ricotta, pecorino, Parmesan, and basil, earning a $10,000 prize. This victory helped her fund the opening of her new restaurant.
Coulter’s pizza style is described as neo-Neapolitan, though she refers to it as the “Jhy pie.” “It’s not the traditional, simple Neapolitan,” Coulter told the Kansas City Star. “It’s more intricate, with unique toppings and seasonal items. The pies are crispy, with chewy dough and some leoparding.”
Her career has included roles as an English teacher overseas, a graphic designer, and a protégé of Brandon Winn, executive chef at the now-closed Webster House. After losing her job as a sous chef during the pandemic, Coulter volunteered at Webster House, making meals for those in need. During this time, she developed her signature dough recipe and gained popularity with her pop-up events around the city.
Orange By: Devoured, which opened on August 15, features 11-inch pizzas and Spanish-inspired tapas. The menu includes items like the Jam Bam, with white sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, thinly sliced potatoes, blueberry ricotta, and herbs, and the Herbie Birdie, with white sauce, herb-roasted chicken, garlic, rosemary, feta, spinach, butternut squash puree, pecorino, and Parmesan.
Coulter’s initial skepticism about the giveaway contest led her to push hard for a win. “I thought those giveaways were a scam,” she told Kansas City Magazine in February 2022. “But I really wanted to win, so I gave it my all.”
After losing her job, Coulter used the Gozney oven more frequently, diving into pizza-making and refining her skills. “I became obsessed with the process,” she said.
Orange By: Devoured seats 22 people, and Coulter is focused on perfecting her recipes. “I’m always making improvements and tweaks,” she told Kansas City Magazine. “If you obsess enough about it, you can make the pie you want.”