Send us a text During PizzaCon 2024 in Philadelphia, Executive Editor Denise Greer took the opportunity to sit down with various pizzeria operators in person to talk pizza shop. Conversations in this episode include: Corey DiGiovanni, Pie Society Pizza in Virginia Beach, Virginia – His mobile pizza company has a military base clientele. We talk about that unique market. We also talk Pie Society’s beginning. Rocky Shanower, Park Street Pizza , Baler Street and Dola Jean’s in Sugar Creek and Dover...
Dec 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 236
Send us a text We caught up with this year’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Weather Preston with her mom and business partner, Donna Grainger, at PizzaCon in Philadelphia. They, along with Jim Grainger, own the quirky and fun family-run pizzeria, Cross Eyed Cow Pizza sits on the iconic Route 66 in Oro, Grande, California. Weather has taken the reins to lead the pizzeria into the future. She was honored at PizzaCon as the recipient of the 2024 Young Entrepreneur of Year in the PIE Awards. More on...
Dec 05, 2024•15 min•Ep. 235
Send us a text This week, we talk with co-executive chefs and partners Thomas McNaughton and Ryan Pollnow at San Francisco-based Flour + Water to get the skinny on the direction their taking their highly successful pizza concept. Check out more details provided by Flour + Water: Thomas McNaughton, Co-Executive Chef & Founding Partner, Flour + Water Hospitality Group (Flour + Water, Flour +Water Pizzeria, Penny Roma, Flour + Water Pasta Shop) Thomas McNaughton, founding partner, co-chef and C...
Nov 28, 2024•33 min•Ep. 234
Send us a text This week, we share our conversation with Nicole Bean, co-owner of Houston-based Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana . During PizzaCon 2024 in Philly, Executive Editor Denise Greer had a lively conversation with Nicole about top-of-mind pizza business issues, taking on a leadership role in the pizza industry, multiple pizza style and using AI in the business and an in-depth talk about dialing AI prompts. Bill Hutchinson, wife Gloria and son Matt opened Pizaro’s in 2011. Nicole and husband B...
Nov 21, 2024•18 min•Ep. 233
Send us a text Two years ago, Chris and Angela Woodbeck received the call that many operators have feared. Their beloved pizzeria, Mangia Macrina’s in New Hartford, New York was on fire. Worse, when they arrived, they found out it was arson. It has been a long road back as the couple are about to reopen the pizzeria in a new location in Utica, New York. They share their story of bringing their business back, the obstacles they’ve faced and the transition. Mangia Macrina’s also has a location in ...
Nov 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 232
Send us a text Katie Lee owns Katie’s Pizza & Pasta with three locations in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Recently, the pizza company scored a huge client for its frozen pizza line to be sold in Walmart grocery stores starting in mid-to-late 2025. We get into what went into such a lucrative retail deal. There is so much more to Katie Lee’s story. She shares her background, how she started her business and what led her into the frozen market. For more details on the Walmart deal, see the foll...
Nov 07, 2024•33 min•Ep. 231
Send us a text Today is one of the busiest days for pizzerias so the crew at Pizza Today bring you a lighthearted episode where Josh, Jeremy and Denise talk Halloween in pizzerias, favorite Halloween pizzas, interesting Halloween finds. Here is the infamous Halloween Pizza featuring candy corn: https://pizzatoday.com/recipes/pizzas/halloween-cookie-pizza/ We also talk PizzaCon, happening next week in Philadelphia and the newly announce Pizza Expo Columbus. More on PizzaCon at https://pizzacon.co...
Oct 31, 2024•28 min•Ep. 230
Send us a text Miriam Weiskind has already amassed a huge following in the pizza industry with The Za Report. Now, she is set to open her first brick-and-mortar pizzeria, Yums of PDX in Portland, Oregon. If you are looking for an inspiring episode. This is it. Miriam brings so much energy and enthusiasm about her journey and the pizza community. Miriam’s background is in design and branding. But after capturing the NYC Pizza Run title, her pizza journey took off with Scott’s Pizza Tours where sh...
Oct 24, 2024•49 min•Ep. 229
Send us a text Denise goes one-on-one with Louise Joseph on life in her pizza truck business, Dough Girls in Greenwich, Connecticut. Dough Girls specializes in wood-fired pizza on the go. Dough Girls rolls to local events, fairs, festivals, farmers markets and private and corporate catering locations. Louise talks about what events and locations work for her business. We learn what makes for good consistency. What does it take to keep the pizza truck rolling? Louise shares the maintenance she fo...
Oct 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 228
Send us a text This week, Denise and Josh chat with Robert Garvey, co-founder of Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. in Chicago, Illinois. Robert had just returned from Italy, where his pizzerias was honored as a Top 50 of “The Best 100 Pizzerias in the World” by 50 Top Pizza. Robert's additionally received the special award for "Performance of the Year 2024 - Robo Award". We also talk about Robert’s picturesque location on the Ogden Slip on Lake Michigan, with an amazing patio. Robert is a New York ...
Oct 10, 2024•35 min
Send us a text This week, Josh and Denise sit down with Jay Hansji, owner of Pizza Buzz in Watauga, Texas. He shares how one pizza catapulted his business into a huge 6,000-squre-foot building. He even tried to discontinue the pizza and the people revolted. Pizza Buzz is known for unique pizzas, from the famous pickle pizza and birria pizza to tandoori pizza and even customer creations as pizza of the month like the chicken parm pizza. We also talk about introducing Detroit-style pizza. We talk ...
Oct 03, 2024•31 min•Ep. 226
Send us a text The Pizza Today crew is back together again. Jeremy, Denise and Josh hop on the podcast together for a special episode on the big 4th quarter for pizzerias and us. We’re here to help you get ready. We kick things off highlighting Pizza Expo’s newest event. PizzaCon, November 7 in Philadelphia. Registration is live, so secure your spot to attend today! Learn more about PizzaCon. October is NATIONAL PIZZA MONTH, the best month of the year! We go into some tips and ways for you to ca...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 225
Send us a text This week, Denise goes one-on-one with Rick Herman, CEO of Log Home Wood Fired Pizza in McGregor, Minnesota, with a population of 350 people. So how has this business thrived for 10 years? Rick dives into the pivotal anniversary, focus of the business and how he’s been able to engage the community. We also talk about the shifts the business has been required to make to operate in a hamlet dependent on tourism of northern Minnesota. Find out how he’s able to maximize winters. He al...
Sep 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 224
Send us a text This week on The Hot Slice Podcast, Josh and Denise chat with Ryan Ososky, owner of DTown Pizzeria in Hollywood, California. He caught our attention on Instagram for marrying two great pizza styles into one: Detroit and Tavern. We get into how and why, as well as what the response has been. We dive into the challenges of the fickle Los Angeles market and how DTown grabs attention. Ryan is always floating new ideas out, including creating a dog-friendly pizza. Ryan has competed wel...
Sep 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 223
Send us a text It’s National Cheese Pizza Day, September 5. We celebrate the quintessential holy trinity of pizza, the cheese pizza. It is the classic combination of cheese, red pizza sauce and crust. Check out more on Cheese Pizza Day. Our guest today is thriving in one of the most competitive pizza markets in the world, New York City. Frank Kabatas has amazing story of building the American Dream. He actually tried his first pizza at the pizzeria where he would land his first job when he came ...
Sep 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 222
Send us a text This week we’re exploring tech in pizzerias with George Panagopoulos, owner of Dedham House of Pizza, in Dedham, Massachusetts. This tech-savvy operator has taken over an over 50-year-old pizzeria. He is driving the business into future by developing a custom AI chatbot. As he has stepped into the owner role, George has implemented self-ordering kiosks, mobile app, rewards program, online specials and third-party delivery companies. Listen as George shares what motivates him to ad...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min•Ep. 221
Send us a text This week on The Hot Slice Podcast, Denise and Josh chat with Jessica Hellaine and Nick MacDonald, owners of Black Dog Pizzeria in Dublin, Ohio. First, we learn what Columbus-style pizza is. Black Dog also serves New York-style pizza. Nick is the mad scientist of the business always experimenting with the dough and menu. Explore the evolution of its New York-style pizza. We talk menu development and employee input. Learn about their playful pun pizzas and marketing. Jessica runs t...
Aug 22, 2024•37 min•Ep. 220
Send us a text This week, Jeremy and Denise chat with Jeff Cincotta, Chef Owner of Molinari's Italian Eatery & Pizzeria and Ravello Italian Kitchen in Watertown, Massachusetts. Prior to opening Molinari nine years ago, Jeff spent his career as an executive chef at private clubs. He was ready for a change and opened Molinari. We dive into his background and transitioning to ownership and talk about the culinary creativity he brings to the business. Molinari uses local seasonal ingredients. Je...
Aug 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 219
Send us a text This week, we chat with Candy Yiu, who owns The Turning Peel in Portland, Oregon. She meticulously selected all the design elements that went into the pizzeria that resides in a house turned commercial space. The result is an enchanting and magical space with sourdough Neapolitan pizza at its core. We talk about how the business has developed and how the starter and pizza dough has evolved. She even shares what her sourdough is named. In an upcoming Conversation in Pizza Today Mag...
Aug 08, 2024•37 min•Ep. 218
Send us a text This week, Executive Editor Denise Greer interviews Jillana Miller and Ahmad Butler, Owners & Chefs at Miller Butler in San Pedro, CA, They have quickly gained a reputation for amazing pizza in the LA pizza scene. What started out as a pandemic pasta-selling business as evolved into a mobile pizzeria in high demand for its popups and catering. While Jillana has had a long career in food, including as a personal chef, operating a pizza business wasn’t in the plan until the COVI...
Aug 01, 2024•39 min•Ep. 217
Send us a text This week, Editor-in-Chief Jeremy White goes one-on-one with Thomas Ardito, co-owner of Brooklyn DOP in Brooklyn, New York. A fitness enthusiast and gym owner, Ardito grew up tinkering with pizza at home and first got involved in the industry by delivering pies on Long Island. But it wasn’t until the COVID pandemic — when many gyms across the nation were forced to close — that he began deeply exploring his interest in artisan bread making and dough development. After working with ...
Jul 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 216
Send us a text Over the next few episodes of The Hot Slice Podcast, we’re excited to let you get to know pizza makers and owners who we named Rising Stars in the Pizza Industry. We’re so impressed by Marisol Doyle, Co-owner/Pizzaiola, Leña – Pizza + Bagels in Cleveland, Mississippi. Leña was recently named a top pizza spot in the U.S in the feature: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/di... . It’s been a whirlwind since the announcement and even before that. Marisol has quickly garnered a reputat...
Jul 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 215
Send us a text This week, Executive Editor Denise Greer goes one-on-one with Hillary Lake, who co-owns Hillary’s Chicago Pizza, in St. Augustine, Florida. She’s no stranger to restaurant business ownership, but she never thought she would enter the pizza industry. It was during the pandemic that she missed her hometown Chicago pizza and sought to make the perfect Deep Dish. That catapulted into creating a farmer’s market and brewery pop-up for extra income. Today, Her and her husband Bruce bough...
Jul 11, 2024•24 min
Send us a text Happy 4th of July, everyone! On this holiday, we’re replaying a favorite episode for your enjoyment. Jeremy sat down for a one-on-one interview with pizza legend John Arena, co-founder of Metro Pizza in Las Vegas, just before he gave one of the most memorable opening day keynote addresses at the 40th Pizza Expo in March. During the discussion, John touches on his feelings about tinkering with dough formulas and pushing the industry forward through trial and error. He teases his ke...
Jul 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 213
Send us a text Giovanni Cesarano is part of the new generation behind the legendary King Umberto on Long Island, New York. We last caught up with Giovanni in 2021 on the podcast when we shared with him that he had been named a Rising Star in the Pizza Industry. A lot has happened with Giovanni and the business. We talk about how he’s able to keep King Umberto’s top of mind in a changing New York pizza scene. We learn more about how the business has elevated and talk pizza styles. Giovanni remain...
Jun 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 212
Send us a text It’s been a whirlwind kind of few months for Tony Cerimele, owner of New Columbus Pizza Company , in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. After capturing the first-place finish in the Pan Division, Tony went on to win the Finals to be named World Champion Pizza Maker of the Year at the International Pizza Challenge during Pizza Expo (March 19-21) in Las Vegas. We caught up with Tony to see learn more about his winning pizza, competing at an international level and see what’s happened since...
Jun 20, 2024•38 min•Ep. 211
Send us a text This week on The Hot Slice Podcast is Chip Myles. His passion for the pizza business and his customers radiates through this episode. Chip Myles opened Myles’ Pizza Pub in 1978 in Bowling Green, Ohio. The pizza pub's family business hospitality, unique style of pizza, and late-night hours earned a loyal fanbase among the Bowling Green community and beyond in Ohio, leaving a lasting legacy behind when they closed in 2016. The Myles family moved to Greenville, SC, where they re-open...
Jun 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 210
Send us a text This week, we talk with Corey Watson, founder of Pizza for Ukraine. Pizza for Ukraine's mission is to Make Pizza, Not War. We make Neapolitan pizza is made for Ukrainians affected by the trauma of war. Whether they are displaced, orphaned, wounded, responding to emergencies, or fighting for freedom, hope is served one pizza at a time. Corey joined us via Zoom from Kyiv, Ukraine to talk about his Pizza for Ukraine nonprofit and his push for pizza as a humanitarian food. In release ...
Jun 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 209
Send us a text This week, Josh and Denise chat with Hengam Stanfield, co-owner of Mattenga’s Pizzeria in San Antonio, Texas. What started out as taking over a failing pizzeria in 2013 has grown into eight locations and expanding. Hengam and husband Matt met in college, both aspiring engineers but soon realized they wanted to be in business for themselves. They entered the restaurant world without any experience in dining. They learned on the job from day one. They were able to apply their engine...
May 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 208
Send us a text This week on The Hot Slice Podcast, Denise and Jeremy chat with Patrick Elston, who with his wife Mandy operates Gus Franco’s Pizza in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Originally started as a food truck, Gus Franco’s opened in 2017. He talks about the steady rise of the pizzeria. Family dynamics and raising kids in the family atmosphere pizzerias. The pizzeria named after their young sons, who Patrick hopes one will take over the business someday. The pizzeria has been named one of Pi...
May 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 207
