PIE 2 PIE - A Pizza Maker’s Podcast

From Finance to Fresh Baked w/ Jeff Barris of Hail Mary Pizza

In this episode of PIE 2 PIE Jeff Barris tells the tale of how he went from number crunching to kneading dough, and how he made the leap from finance to food when he acquired renowned LA pizzeria Hail Mary Pizza.
Hear Jeff's journey from corporate suits to aprons, how he strategically searched for the perfect restaurant to purchase, the pros and cons of taking over an existing brand, what he's changed and what's stayed the same at Hail Mary, managing costs and sales during the recession, his vision for slow growth while staying true to Hail Mary's roots, advice for aspiring restaurant owners, and more pizza passion from new shop owner Jeff Barris.
Whether you're looking to get into the pizza business or just want a slice of the action, this episode is loaded with tasty insights on running a successful pizzeria.
https://hailmarypizzala.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hailmarypizza/
 
Subscribe to PIE 2 PIE on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hottonguetv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xX5rl9YlQpA8InjFpfAoc?si=e9e39fd9afd8495c
 

Building a Prime Dynasty w/ Zak Fishman of Prime Pizza LA

In this episode of PIE 2 PIE, Alex Koons sits down with Zach Fishman, co-owner of the acclaimed Prime Pizza restaurants in Los Angeles. Zach shares the origin story of Prime Pizza, from falling in love with NY pizza as a kid to opening their flagship Fairfax location in 2014. He provides an inside look at Prime's expansion to 7 shops, discussing everything from maintaining quality standards to hiring and training staff for new store openings.
Zach also reveals his insights on LA's evolving pizza scene, managing multiple locations, product development, and more. This is a must-listen for any pizza lover or restaurateur looking to up their pizza game.
 
https://www.instagram.com/primepizzala/
https://www.tiktok.com/@primepizzala
https://primepizza.la/
 
 
Subscribe to PIE 2 PIE on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hottonguetv

That Monkey on Your Back w/ Ben Osher of Gorilla Pies

Welcome back to another episode of Pie 2 Pie! Today, we're diving into the world of Gorilla Pies with Ben Osher located in the beautiful Valley Village, Los Angeles.
Gorilla Pies isn't your average pizzeria, they've made waves on "best of" lists and even graced the evening news. Rumor has it, Ben might have had a secret life as a Russian spy, given his stint as the executive chef of Nobu in Moscow.
But our conversation isn't just about espionage; it's a journey. In just two years, Ben went from home kitchen pizzas to owning a brick-and-mortar pizzeria.
We'll uncover the magic behind this transformation in our chat. Join us as we hang out at Gorilla Pies and dive into a great conversation with Ben Osher.
https://www.instagram.com/gorillapies/
https://gorillapies.com/
 
**Subscribe to PIE 2 PIE on:**
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hottonguetv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xX5rl9YlQpA8InjFpfAoc?si=e9e39fd9afd8495c
 

A Tale of Two Doughs w/ Chadwick Corcoran of Two Doughs Pizza

In this episode of PIE 2 PIE, meet the incredible Chadwick Corcoran of Two Doughs in Agoura Hills.
From dialing in their sourdough process with the precision of a scientist, to marketing tactics to grow your brand & catering biz, to finding forgiveness after getting their pizza oven trailer stolen.
Chadwick is among the most knowledgeable bakers I’ve had the pleasure of talking to and just an all around good guy.
I hope you enjoy this episode of Pie 2 Pie!
https://twodoughs.com/
https://www.instagram.com/twodoughs/
 
 
Subscribe to PIE 2 PIE on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/hottonguetv
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xX5rl9YlQpA8InjFpfAoc?si=e9e39fd9afd8495c
 

Grate Expectations: From Incognito to Catering Dynasty w/ Jason Winters of Speak Cheezy

In this episode, we had the incredible privilege of sitting down with Jason Winters of Speak Cheezy in Long Beach, CA. Join us as we delve into the inspiring transformation of Speak Cheezy from an incognito venture to a thriving catering dynasty. We unravel the story of  how Jason went from having the dream of selling pizzas out of a van to catering events as big as Coachella and opening up his brick and mortar. From birthday parties to delivering to Joe Rogan’s DMT dealer, ”You never know where you’re going to go with pizza” Jason says. Tune in and join us as we celebrate the cheesy goodness of Speak Cheezy. Enjoy!   
https://www.speak-cheezy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/speak_cheezy/
 

Ten Pounds of Sh*t in a 5 Pound Bag w/ Odie O’Connor of Boxcar Pizza

In this last episode of Pie 2 Pie Season 2, we had a special conversation with Odie O'Connor, former owner of Baby Blue and current owner of Boxcar Pizza. Joining us all the way from Portland Oregon. We discussed his transition from Neapolitan pizza to his all Detroit-style square pizzas at Boxcar. Odie's pizza is all plant-based, showcasing his mastery of the dark arts of vegan cuisine. Odie is an amazing person, so dedicated to his craft. Get ready for an entertaining conversation and enjoy the podcast!
https://www.instagram.com/boxcarpizza/
https://order.toasttab.com/online/boxcarpizza
 
 
🚀 How to Steal A RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 
 
HOT TONGUE PIZZA: https://www.hottonguepizza.com/
 

Another Banger Hit w/ Daniel Holzman of Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizzeria

Welcome to another wild episode of PIE 2 PIE Pizza Podcast on Hot Tongue TV! Today, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Daniel Holzman, the genius behind Danny Boy's Famous Original Pizzeria, nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
It was a beautiful, sunny L.A. morning and we got to chat right outside the restaurant. Daniel is not only a restaurateur but also an author, a pilot, and a black belt in jiu-jitsu. We covered all of that and much more in this conversation.
After the interview, Daniel graciously took Alex on a tour of his entire kitchen, showcasing the impressive operations and introducing me to his talented team. It was evident that his organization was well-run, and the hospitality was nothing short of incredible.
But let's talk about the pizza itself. The fermentation bubbles, the mesmerizing coloring—I had only seen such pizza perfection on the internet until now. And let me assure you, it tasted every bit as good as it looked.
Daniel, thank you for your time and for sharing your expertise with us! We hope our listeners enjoy this conversation. Get ready to be blown away by the exceptional flavors and craftsmanship and character of Daniel Holzman at Danny Boy's Famous Original Pizzeria. Enjoy!
https://www.dannyboysfamousoriginalpizza.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dannyboysfamousoriginal/
 
 
🚀 HOW TO STEAL A RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 

The Most Complicated Easy Thing w/ Roy Elam of Donna Jean

Join us for an incredible episode of PIE 2 PIE Pizza Podcast featuring Roy Elam, the visionary behind Donna Jean. From discussing the challenges of the restaurant's build-out to sourcing farm-fresh produce, we dive deep into Roy's journey. As a 20-year vegan, Roy shares his expertise in plant-based cuisine, crafting remarkable flavor experiences. Discover why Donna Jean is a must-visit for exceptional vegan pizza and indulge in this mouthwatering conversation. Tune in and enjoy!https://donnajeanrestaurant.com/ https://www.instagram.com/donnajeanofficial/
 
🚀HOW TO STEAL A RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 

The Purple Pizza Eater w/ La Sorted’s

In this episode of PIE 2 PIE Pizza Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tommy Breckert, the mastermind behind La Sorted's Pizza in Silverlake, Los Angeles.
Tommy is such a great dude and we covered so much in this episode. We delved into his journey with pizza, how he got started, how he started popping up and grew his catering business and how he even got to cater a party for Diddy. We talk about the origins of the La Sorted’s name which was inspired at Burning Man one year and how it was almost called The Purple Pizza Eater.
Tommy also shares his experience being an LA native and serving what he proudly deems Los Angeles Style Pizza. He shares his inspirations, challenges, and triumphs in the pizza industry.
La Sorted's Pizza has quickly become a beloved pizza spot in Los Angeles, capturing the hearts and taste buds of pizza lovers all around. Tommy's dedication to using quality ingredients, perfecting his dough, and experimenting with unique flavors sets La Sorted's apart.
During our conversation, Tommy shared valuable insights into his creative process, the importance of community support, and the joy he finds in crafting each pizza with love and precision.
Tommy, thank you for sharing your story and allowing us a glimpse into the world of La Sorted's Pizza. We hope you enjoy this one!
https://lasorteds.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lasorteds/
 
 
🚀 HOW TO STEAL A RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 

Part 2: Ali Haider’s Flavor Journey Around the World w/ 786 Degrees

Welcome back to Part 2 of this episode with Ali Haider from 786 Degrees. It was an absolute pleasure to have Ali on the show. He shared an abundance of knowledge from his origins in pizza falling in love with pizza Napoletana, and traveling to Italy to learn the ways of the pizzaiolo and his story was truly captivating.


Ali is no stranger to the camera. He has won Best in Dough on Hulu and has appeared on the Food Network, not to mention being recognized as the best restaurant in Sun Valley on Yelp.


This conversation was so rich and filled with valuable insights that we had to split it into two parts. This episode is the first part of our flavorful journey around the world with Ali Haider. You're in for a real treat as we explore Ali's experiences and passion for food. Get ready to embark on an extraordinary culinary adventure. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode!
Chef Ali: https://www.instagram.com/chef.pizzaiolo.ali/
786 Degrees: https://www.instagram.com/786degrees/ https://786degrees.com/
 
 
 
🚀 STEAL THIS RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/