The Hot Slice

Send us Fan Mail We brought World Pizza Champion and Restaurateur Tony Gemignani and his right hand Laura Meyer, also a World Champion, together to talk pizza business and the next big thing in the industry. This episode is hosted by Pizza Today Executive Editor Denise Greer and Editor In Chief Jeremy White. Tony and Laura talk: -How COVID-19 has changed the business -The pizza school -Pizza Style...

Send us Fan Mail We’re peeling back the curtain to share a sneak peek at Pizza Expo 365, the most comprehensive pizzeria resource platform to learn, shop and connect 24/7. The Pizza Today Editorial Team detail exclusive details on what’s on Pizza Expo 365, its launch date and the first competition dates. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the insides scoop on all things Pizza Expo 365. Sign up now...

Send us Fan Mail So long 2020! The team at Pizza Today wraps up this year with a compilation of the best stories and advice on The Hot Slice podcast. The pizzeria industry’s brightest minds dropping knowledge on one episode. It’s a can’t miss.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-hot-slice/message

Send us Fan Mail The editorial team at Pizza Today come together to share New Year’s resolutions. We pay tribute to our Dough Doctor Tom Lehmann. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown, Executive Editor Denise Greer and Design Lead Katie Wilson share their experiences covering the pizzeria industry. The team talks: The impact Tom Lehmann has had on American pizzerias 2020 Pizze...

Send us Fan Mail Adam Borich, owner of the five-unit Lucifers Pizza, gets real on the devastating second wave restaurant dining shutdowns in Los Angeles with Editor in Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. While times are tough, Lucifers has managed to thrive and grow amidst the pandemic.    Adam talks: Latest Restaurant Dining Shutdown in Los Angeles  How the Recent Shutdown Compa...

Send us Fan Mail Get the lowdown on Detroit-style pizza by none other than Motor City native Jeff Smokevitch, who leads a comprehensive demonstration on the style at International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Jeff owns Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride, Colorado and Blue Pan Pizza in Denver. We also pay tribute to Shawn Randazzo, who was the catalyst for Detroit style’s rise across the country. This episod...

Send us Fan Mail Jeremy White and Josh Keown sit down with pizzeria owner, speaker and newly minted author, Mike Bausch, to talk about Lou Diamond Phillips, Hall and Oates, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz — and why Bausch only plays Billy Ocean songs in this restrooms. Seriously, it's what they talk about it. We can't make this stuff up. Fortunately, they also mention pizza and Mike'...

Send us Fan Mail "Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes, an interview World Pizza Champion and Restaurateur Tony Gemignani, based in San Francisco. Tony talks COVID-19 response at his 20 restaurants, including completely revamping the Capo pizza concept during the shutdown. He also shares his strategy for opening new restaurants. This episode is hosted by Editor I...

Send us Fan Mail Listen as the editorial team at Pizza Today come together to share what’s happening in the pizzeria industry. Get the inside scoop on Pizza Expo 2021 and the launch of Pizza Expo 365. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown, Executive Editor Denise Greer and Design Lead Katie Wilson share their experiences covering the pizzeria industry. We talk: Pizza Expo’s ne...

Send us Fan Mail As part of our continuing coverage of COVID-19 Pizzeria Impact Stories, we have a unique Q&A provided by Tailgate Brewery with three locations in Nashville, Tennessee. Marketing Manager Liz Tarry sits down with Owner and Brewmaster Wesley Keegan to share their story. This episode is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Wesley talks: The bre...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is dedicated to one of the COVID-19 Pizzeria Impact Stories that we’re featuring all month. Jet’s Pizza is one of America’s largest pizza companies with hundreds of locations in 19 states, helping move Detroit-style pizza mainstream. Listen to an engaging roundtable discussion with Jet’s Pizza leadership, including Jimmy Galloway, Vice President of Franchise Sales; Jo...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Nick Strawhecker gives us an update on Dante in Omaha, Nebraska. Chef/Owner Nick shares how Dante has thrived while he has moved into a new role with the restaurant. This episode is hosted by Executive Editor Denise Greer and Creative Director Josh Keown. Nick talks: Dante thriving through the pandemic The reality of closing his second restaurant Work-life Balance Movin...

Send us Fan Mail Ali Haider, owner of 786 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza in Sun Valley and Pasadena, California, is here to bring some inspiration to the podcast this week. Ali is a super positive and passionate chef/owner with an International approach to his menus. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Ali talks: Opening a second location in a very d...

Send us Fan Mail World Pizza Champion and self-proclaimed “dough nerd” Will Grant joins us on The Hot Slice podcast to talk sourdough. Will is hands on at the 37-year-old family pizzeria That’s a Some Pizza and the newly opened Sourdough Willy’s, in Bainbridge Island, Washington. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Editor In Chief Jeremy White.   Will talks:  The pizzeria’s...

Send us Fan Mail This week, soak up pizzeria industry insights from Jeff and Laura Ambrose of Woodstock’s Pizza with seven locations in Southern California. With 40 years in the pizza business and owners of the highest-grossing independent pizzeria in the U.S., Laura and Jeff share what they’ve learned during a very uncertain time. This episode is hosted by Executive Editor Denise Greer and Creati...

Send us Fan Mail Champion pizza maker and pizzeria owner Lars Smith is on The Hot Slice podcast this week. Listen as Lars shares his passion and experience of opening State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria in Los Altos, California. Lars hits on some tips on business planning and pizza competitions. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Lars talk...

Send us Fan Mail We are honored to have a pizza icon, Paul Giannone (Paulie Gee), on the show this week. He spent 30 years in the tech industry before opening what has become one of hottest pizzerias in America, Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. He’s grown his business to include a slice shop and multiple licensed locations. He’s a leader, mentor and enthusiast to our great pizzeria community....

Send us Fan Mail We continue a two-part thought-provoking conversation with owners of our 2020 Pizzeria of the Year Via 313 in Austin, Texas. Brandon and Zane Hunt are pizzeria industry powerhouse operators. This episode is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. In Part Two, Brandon and Zane talk: Staying Relevant in the Austin Market People Focus Being a Good Co...

Send us Fan Mail We kick off Season 2 of The Hot Slice with a two-part thought-provoking conversation with owners of our 2020 Pizzeria of the Year Via 313 in Austin, Texas. Brandon and Zane Hunt are pizzeria industry powerhouse operators. This episode is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. In Part One, Brandon and Zane talk: Pizzeria of the Year Award Creating...

Send us Fan Mail The Pizza Today team wrap up Season One of The Hot Slice by answer listener questions. We’re talking biggest mistakes pizzeria consistently make, supply-chain shortages, marketing and personal pizza experiences. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer share their decades of experience covering the pizzeria industry. We talk: Com...

Send us Fan Mail Listen to Glenn Cybulski on The Hot Slice Podcast Join us for a riveting conversation with award-winning chef, consultant and School of Pizzeria Management Instructor Glenn Cybulski. We’re diving into lessons Glenn has learned to help pizzeria operators. He also shares insights into his newest project in culinary cannabis products. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hot Slice, we talk shop with Pittsburgh-based pizzeria owner Nick Bogacz. Listen in as Nick dishes on his business growth, the impact of COVID-19 and how he left an entire room teary-eyed at last year's Pizza & Pasta Northeast show in Atlantic City. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-hot-slice/message

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful conversation with Nicole Bean, who runs Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana, with two locations in Houston, Texas. See what drives this driven young owner to excel in the pizzeria industry. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Nicole talks: Pizaro’s Origin Story Running a Family Business Belonging to the Pizza Tr...

Send us Fan Mail Mike Bausch is one of the most sought-after speakers at Pizza Expo. We go one-on-one with Mike on sharing his vast experience with pizzeria operators on this week’s episode of The Hot Slice Podcast. Mike has built an impressive restaurant brand in Tulsa, Oklahoma that includes five brick-and-mortar locations, a fine-dining restaurant, two gelaterias, two food hall spots and a food...

Send us Fan Mail Mr. @everythingbutanchovies himself, Chris Decker, from Metro Pizza in Las Vegas, featured this week on The Hot Slice Podcast. He shares what’s behind his famous Sicilian pizza and his creativity in the kitchen. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Chris talks: Creating a New Pizza Pizza Creativity The Pizza Evolution Perfecting...