PIE 2 PIE - A Pizza Maker’s Podcast

Life's a Slice w/ Thomas DeSantis of Fire and Wood Catering

Meet the genius behind Fire and Wood Catering, Thomas DeSantis! Thomas gives us an inside look at what it takes to operate a mobile wood-fired pizza and event catering operation at the highest level.
Get an inside look at Thomas' journey from starting in New York to launching his own business in Los Angeles. We discuss how to grow a mobile operation from the ground up, the day-to-day operations and logistics of running a mobile pizza business, and how to be resourceful when something inevitably doesn’t go your way and you just have to figure sh*t out.
You can hear the passion and perseverance in his voice as he describes how he navigates the challenges of the food industry's highs and lows. It's truly inspiring. This episode is packed with nuggets of wisdom, don’t miss out!
https://www.instagram.com/fireandwoodcatering/
https://www.fireandwoodcatering.com/
 
🚀 HOW TO STEAL A RECIPE:
https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here:
https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 

Bring Za Ruckus w/ Chris Laramie of Fat Lip Pizza

In this episode, we talk with Chris Laramie, owner of Fat Lip Pizza about his journey from starting a pizza pop-up out of a retired mail truck during the pandemic to opening his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Corona, CA.
 
Chris shares about his culinary career and departure from fine dining to finding a unicorn second-gen brick-and-mortar pizza shop while developing his brand and community outreach. Chris lays out his Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) philosophy of keeping the menu simple and the brand tight and cohesive.https://www.fatlippizza.com/https://www.instagram.com/fatlippizza/?hl=en
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Pie Hard: The Best of 2023 w/ Alex Koons

In this special year-end wrap-up episode, Alex takes us through some of the highlights and unforgettable moments from the 33 episodes of Pie2Pie in 2023. As we look back, we want to give a massive thanks to everyone who has been a guest on our humble podcast and to all the listeners out there for your support. It’s always been about the community. We are all here to learn and grow together and we can’t wait to bring so many more inspiring stories and valuable insights from pizza makers from all over in the year to come.
Hear Alex's picks for Hidden Gems– insightful episodes that deserve another look, or moments you may have missed from great episodes. We also get a laugh revisiting the Funniest Moments of the year caught on camera. The Best Outtake, never before seen or heard on this podcast, a hilarious NSFW story from Mark Schechter of Square Pie Guys.
We dig into some of the Best Advice from very generous guests, on maintaining quality and integrity as you expand and grow, as well as perspective on work-life balance. The final categories for our retrospective episode cover the Best Start-up Story, and the Most Viewed and Most Listened to episodes of 2023.
This special episode is a great way to recap a stellar first year of the Pie2Pie Pizza Podcast! Thank you!
 
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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578
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Watch ‘Em Explode w/ Kevin Gist + Joseph Ghafouri Wehrly of TNT Pizza

Join us as we chat with 2 of the finest pizza makers out of San Diego, the dynamic duo behind TNT Pizza - Kevin Gist and Joseph Ghafouri Wehrly. After 18 years in the pizza industry, hear how these two friends joined forces to open their very own pizza joint. We dig into how they got their space up and running for much less money than you would think by looking at their incredible shop and their f**king cool branding.
We talk about the challenges of partnership and compromise, their array of ‘thick and thin’ pizza styles, as well as the merits of deciding what kind of boss you want to be, and that feeling when you watch a team member flourish. The guys are already ready to expand their concept to a new location in the very near future and we couldn’t be more excited. Be sure to stop by, the next time you’re in the area. Don’t miss this one!
https://www.instagram.com/tntsdpizza/
 
Subscribe to PIE 2 PIE Pizza Podcast 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
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pie.2.pie/
🚀 STEAL THIS RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here:
https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 

Tenacious P - Paying Tribute w/ Matt Lyons of Tribute Pizza

On this episode we sit down with Matt Lyons, owner of Tribute Pizza in San Diego, to discuss his journey. From getting his start delivering pizzas on his skateboard as a teen to traveling to Kenya to consult on a new pizzeria and soon after opening his critically acclaimed restaurant.
Matt gives an insightful look at his passion for the craft. We talk about the interior design of Tribute Pizza and the care put into every detail. We dip into the work/life balance when to step away from your shop, the merits of Prego on Boboli and Costco pizza. This is a must-listen for pizza chefs and aspiring pizza chefs alike. Get ready for one of the best in the game. Hope you enjoy it!
 
https://www.tributepizza.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tributepizza/
 

Dope Pizza Worldwide with Marc Schechter of Square Pie Guys

On this episode of PIE 2 PIE, Marc Schechter from Square Pie Guys joins the podcast to dish about his journey going from working in sales and doing comedy to putting Detroit-style pizza on the map in San Francisco.
We follow along as he rises from humble pizza pop-up beginnings, catapulted by a fateful wedding catering gig into a pizza empire taking over the West Coast and stretching into new markets. Marc shares his experience in business, his viral collab with Jeremy Lin, building ghost kitchen partnerships, how to get your content shared by @pizza, and more doughy details. This episode will leave your sides splitting and your pizza craving! Enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/squarepieguys/
https://www.instagram.com/pizzaman_420/
 
🚀 HOW TO STEAL A RECIPE: https://www.subscribepage.com/howtostealarecipe
🌱 Thinking of Opening a Pizza Shop? Start here: https://howtoopenapizzashop.com/
 
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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578

The Selfish Truth Behind This Podcast w/ Host Alex Koons of Hot Tongue Pizza

In this solo episode, host Alex Koons reflects on his motivations for starting the Pie 2 Pie podcast. An endeavor to build community and connections in the pizza industry, as well as to gain inspiration and knowledge by having candid conversations with other owners. If you're enjoying this podcast, please go on Apple Podcasts and leave us a quick review. This helps put us in front of more people who might benefit from the podcast.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-2-pie-a-pizza-makers-podcast/id1668271578
 
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If you would like to be on a future episode of PIE 2 PIE, you can slide into our dm’s on Instagram https://pie2pie.com/
Or go to: https://pie2pie.com/
 
And lastly, if you’re curious about Alex's Coaching & Consulting services, be sure to check it out at https://alexkoons.com/
Hope you have a wonderful day.

Live and Let Pie w/ Thom and James Elliot of Pizza Pilgrims

In this episode of Pie 2 Pie features brothers James and Thom Elliott, founders of the popular London-based pizza chain, Pizza Pilgrims. The Elliott brothers recount how they fell in love with Neapolitan pizza on a trip to Italy, leading them to start their business in London in 2011. They share the origin story of buying a tuk-tuk in Sicily to put a pizza oven on the back of it and drive all the way back to London. James and Thom discuss growing Pizza Pilgrims from a single food truck to 25+ brick-and-mortar pizzerias across the UK. They provide insights on maintaining quality standards, hiring good staff, managing multiple locations, and staying true to their values as they've expanded. Throughout this excellent episode, James and Thom exude their infectious energy and passion. Hope you enjoy! https://www.instagram.com/pizzapilgrims/?hl=en

From Pop-Up to Blow-Up: A Round Table on Growing Into a Brick-and-Mortar Pizzeria

In this episode, another round table discussion, this time we find out what it takes to go from popping up to growing into a brick-and-mortar pizzeria. Meet Chris of Ozzy’s Apizza, Sean of Secret Pizza LA, and Tommy of LaSorted’s.These passionate pizzaiolos recount their journey from hobbyists perfecting pies at home to opening their own beloved pizzerias in 2020 and winding up on the LA Times best pizza in Los Angeles list in 2023. They manifested brick-and-mortar locations through hard work, perseverance, and embracing the unknown. With wisdom forged in the fires, they share sage advice for those looking to follow a similar path.Learn about their trials and tribulations, overcoming negative reviews, and maintaining balance despite growing demand. Pull up a seat for an insider's view into some compelling stories of spreading joy and achieving doughy greatness through community, passion, and perseverance.

Crust The Process w/ Mark Mebus of 20th Street Pizza

On this mouth-watering episode of Pie 2 Pie, Alex chats with veteran pizza maker Mark Mebus, owner of the acclaimed 20th Street Pizza in Philadelphia. Drawing on his extensive experience in the NYC and Philly pizza scenes, Mark reflects on the rise and fall of his first pizzeria, Blackbird, imparting the hard lessons he learned about expanding and taking on too many things too quickly which took him away from the food.
Now focused solely on perfecting his craft at one location, he shares his enduring love of pizza and his belief that quality stems entirely from the skill of the pizzaiolo, not where it comes from. Mark explains how a quest for better vegan options led him to launch a wholesale vegan meat and frozen pizza company—you may have seen their Blackbird brand in your grocer's freezer aisle. Tune in for some sage advice to his younger self and Mark's surprising pick for the greatest band of all time.
https://www.instagram.com/20thstreetpizza/