Pizza Story Podcast

You probably know him from your social media feeds as "Vinny from South Philly," but Vincenzo Manetti is so much more than a viral video. He’s an award-winning filmmaker, a gritty actor, and the host of the incredible podcast Inside Hollywood with Vinny ⭐️. In this episode, we are throwing it back to where it all began: the pavement of Washington Avenue and the heart of the South Philly...

Every once in a while, you meet someone whose story reminds you that life’s biggest left turns usually lead exactly where you’re supposed to go. For me, as someone who grew up watching my grandfather turn a life in the coal mines into a family pizza business back in 1960, I’ve always known that pizza is so much more than just food. It’s legacy, it’s comfort, and sometimes, it's a lifeline ♥️....

Have you ever sat at your corporate desk, stared at the glowing monitor, and realized you were exhausting your energy to build someone else’s dream instead of your own 😫? Today’s guest took that exact terrifying, exhilarating leap, except he did it at 56 years old, after 30 years in the corporate IT world. He walked away from the safety of a steady paycheck to open what would quickly become an ab...

Today, we are crossing the pond to chat with the incredible George Lambrou, co-founder of Pizza Inferno based out in the UK 🇬🇧. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a self-proclaimed non-pizza fan gets absolutely infected by the pizza-making bug, this episode is for you 🍕.  George takes us on his journey from being a deputy head teacher (the UK equivalent of a vice principal) to launching a...

In this episode, host Erica D’Arcangelo sits down with Meredith Egan, the award-winning artisan and culinary mastermind behind Lori Anne’s Pizza in Kingston, Ontario 🍕. From growing up as one of six kids in a hectic, country-raised Irish family to climbing the ranks of the Kingston restaurant industry, Meredith shares his journey of falling in love with the craft of wood-fired pizza. Discover how...

How does a person go from working a soul-crushing corporate bank job to running one of the most celebrated, award-winning restaurants in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle 🍕? This episode of the Pizza Story Podcast uncovers the jaw-dropping journey of Sebastian Gallucci, the culinary force behind Seba’s Restaurant and Alma Cocina 🌴! Sebastian practically grew up inside his family's kitchen...

Today on the show, we are heading over to Hamilton, Ontario to chat with the mastermind behind the area's most elusive slice and cult-favorite pop-up: Ethan from Cherry Ghost Pizza 🍕. Ethan’s journey isn’t your typical culinary school story. It’s a beautifully chaotic tale that spans skateboarding and local slice shops, playing in a band, fine-dining kitchens, and a 3:00 AM epiphany involving...

If you want to understand what drives Anthony Scalia, you only need to know his motto: Where there’s red sauce, there’s a story. Better known to his Instagram community as @TonyMangia, Anthony has dedicated his life to chasing those stories across America visiting the hidden Italian markets, multi-generational family restaurants, and under-the-radar pizzerias that define our culture 🇮🇹. Tony joins...

In the world of pizza, there is "pizza," and then there is New Haven "Apizza" 🍕.  Since 1938, one name has stood as a titan of the craft, drawing pilgrims from across the globe to a narrow stretch of Wooster Street. Sally’s Apizza isn't just a restaurant; it’s a living, breathing time capsule of Italian-American history 🇮🇹. In this episode, host Erica D'Arcangelo sits...

In this episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, Erica D'Arcangelo steps inside the 100-year-old Silk City diner in Northern New Jersey to sit down with Emily Downs, the founder of Emily’s Hearth ♥️. Emily Downs is a baker, artisan, and the owner of Emily’s Hearth in Sussex County, NJ. With a background in sculpture and documentary film, Emily shifted her focus to the "edible arts" after...

In the world of pizza, as in life, the most meaningful victories usually happen after you have stood your ground through the hardest moments 🍕. Today, we are heading to the East Village of San Jose to sit down with Caleb, the founder of The Last Round Tavern. For Caleb, the name is more than a branding choice. It is a reflection of a life spent in the boxing ring, a sport that taught him the disc...

Most people dream of quitting their day job to sling pizza, but in 2015, Nick Sanford actually did it. In this episode, we’re talking to the man who took a single mobile trailer and turned it into a Syracuse institution with three shops, three trucks, and a team of over 100 people 🍕. Nick isn't just a business owner; he’s a self-proclaimed "pizza nerd" who grew up in the shadow of N...

Victor Melchor didn’t just wake up one day with an award-winning pizza trailer. He spent years watching beautiful, stone wood-fired ovens in Malibu backyards sit cold, used as nothing more than "decoration." He was the one who finally started lighting the fires. In this episode of The Pizza Story , I’m sitting down with the man who turned a Malibu grocery store deli job into Woodstock Fa...

What happens when you lose everything in a fire and have to start over from scratch? For Adam and his wife Sasha, the answer was found in a 500-page cookbook and a shared love for "Pizza Fridays ♥️." In this episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, we’re talking with Adam, the founder of Hooray for Pizza Day, a Toronto staple located inside the iconic Comedy Bar Danforth 🍕. We dive into their harrowin...

What does it take to turn a COVID-era hobby into a thriving pizza brand without a permanent storefront? In this episode, we sit down with Alik, the founder of Bruddy’s Pizza, a popular pop-up based in Oceanside, California 🍕. Alik takes us through his journey from a literature student and bartender to a woodworker, and finally, to a self-taught pizzaiolo. We discuss the "daunting" early...

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->Can a pizza crust made of sweet corn and poppy seeds redefine a legacy? I’d like to think so 🌽🌱 On today’s episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, we sit down with Thomas Novosel Jr., the visionary behind Happy Valley Chef LLC. Based in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Thomas is a true pizza artisan who has mastered the...

What happens when your Valentine’s Day pizza arrives vertical, broken, and cold? If you’re Luc (aka @lucho_pizzaaa), you don't just ask for a refund—you start a revolution in your own kitchen 🍕. In this episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, I’m joined by one of the most exciting faces in the modern pizza scene. Based in Lyon, France 🇫🇷, Luc has gone from a casual home cook to a viral dough spec...

From the rough-and-tumble docks of New York to the heart of North Jersey, the story of Nicolosi’s Pizza is more than just flour and water—it’s a masterclass in the American Dream 🇺🇸. In this episode, host Erica D'Arcangelo sits down with Angelo Nicolosi, the third-generation torchbearer of a 60-year culinary legacy. Angelo pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to run an old-school po...

In this episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, I am joined by a woman who is truly a force of nature in the pizza community. You likely know her as @realcleverfood on Instagram, where she shares her stunning recipe development and masterclasses. Christy Alia isn’t just a pizzaiola; she’s an East Coast collective leader, a global Gozney ambassador, and the visionary founder of Women’s Pizza Month. We...

In 2020, while the rest of the world was slowing down, today's guest was firing up the ovens 🔥!  I am so excited to share this episode with you all! Today on the Pizza Story Podcast, I’m sitting down with a young man who is redefining what it means to be a "junior" in the kitchen. At just 15 years old, Chef Rocco isn’t just making pizza; he’s building an empire 🍕. From his early da...

What happens when you walk away from your calling for thirteen years, only to realize that the fire never truly went out 🔥? In this soul-baring episode of The Pizza Story Podcast, Erica D’Arcangelo sits down with John Gristina, the award-winning force behind Pizza Fenice in Pelham, New York. For over a decade, John lived a life completely removed from the flour and heat of a commercial kitchen. H...

In this episode of the Pizza Story Podcast, host Erica D'Arcangelo sits down with Anna Harsh, the visionary director behind Allegro Dance Company 💃🏻. Anna has dedicated over three decades to researching, performing, and preserving traditional Italian dances that date back over 2,000 years. From performing for the Pope to researching ancestral rituals in the heart of Calabria, Anna shares how...

What does it truly take to become the most decorated pizza maker in the world 🌎? Today on The Pizza Story Podcast, we are sitting down with the legendary Tony Gemignani. With 13 world titles, multiple Guinness World Records, and a culinary empire that spans from independent shops to international franchises, Tony is widely considered the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) of the pizza indust...

“Pizza wasn't just a meal in my house; it was the celebratory item after every win, the center of every sleepover, and the force that defined our family without us even realizing it. 🍕” In this episode of The Pizza Story, host Erica D'Arcangelo sits down with Alexandra Mortati, the visionary founder behind Women in Pizza. Alexandra’s story is a beautiful blend of deep-rooted family tradit...

Hey guys, welcome back to the Pizza Story Podcast! They say every great pizza has a story, but rarely does that story involve a transformation into a bagel shop at sunrise. Today, I am sitting down with the incredible Marisol Doyle, the heart and soul behind Leña Pizza & Bagels in Cleveland, Mississippi. Marisol has managed to capture the attention of the global culinary world, earning a spot...