Take a journey through the rich pizza culture of Los Angeles and beyond. Alex Koons, owner of Hot Tongue Pizza in Los Angeles, sits down with fellow pizza shop owner/operators to talk about their unique struggles, successes, and ultimately what drives them every day. It’s a pod that you can put on while you wait for your dough to rest, or make a quick trip to the store. Our mission is to highlight some new voices, learn, grow, and better this community we all love so much.
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For more info on the fire recovery in Altadena visit: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/altadena/ This week, we're taking a break from the Bay Area pods to sit down with Zak from Prime Pizza LA and Jamie from Pizza of Venice to discuss the impact of the Eaton fires— Jamie lost his pizzeria and Zak lost his home to the fire. While the flames may be out, the recovery process has only just begun. It's important to remember that long after the news coverage fades and social media moves on, the cleanup and the healing continues. Disasters like these don't come with a playbook, and as business owners, we're often figuring things out as we go. This conversation gets heavy at times, but there were also plenty of laughs—because sometimes, that's the only way to get through it. A huge thank you to Jamie and Zak for sharing their experience. The love and support in this industry are real, and when times get tough, we come together. Here's hoping LA can cut through the red tape and help the Palisades and Altadena rebuild, stronger than before.
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Get George's book: https://amzn.to/47FlWrL This Episode's Sponsors→
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In this episode, Alex sits down with Domenick Calise of Bucky's Pizza from New Jersey. Domenick shares his journey from corporate America to pizza entrepreneurship, discussing his pop-up experiences, plans for a brick-and-mortar location, and the intricacies of his pizza-making process. The conversation covers everything from dough fermentation to flour choices, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of running a pizza business. This Episode's Sponsors→
In this special episode of PIE 2 PIE, host Alex Koons sits down with the two managers of Hot Tongue Pizza, Michael Hiller and Andrew Alvarez. Alex, Michael and Andrew dive deep into their experiences working together for over a decade across multiple restaurants. They discuss the challenges of being in management, from walking the line between friendship and leadership to learning to delegate effectively. Michael and Andrew share valuable insights on creating a positive work culture, handling difficult customers, and adapting to changes in the restaurant. Alex reflects on the importance of trust, respect and open communication in their working relationship. This intimate and revealing conversation highlights the behind-the-scenes dynamics that have enabled Hot Tongue Pizza's success and Alex's own growth as a leader. A must-listen for anyone in the restaurant industry or interested in the power of strong leadership and teamwork. - Effective management involves striking a balance between being hands-on and allowing staff autonomy. Learning to delegate tasks, listen to feedback, and let employees make mistakes are crucial for growth and building trust. - Creating a positive restaurant culture requires a combination of open communication, respect for staff as individuals, and making work fun. Sarcasm and joking should be balanced with clearly communicating expectations and feedback.The customer is not always right. - While hospitality is about serving people, managers need to know when to draw the line and stand up for their team in the face of rude or abusive customer behavior. Enabling this behavior ultimately hurts staff morale. This Episode's Sponsors→
In this episode of Pie 2 Pie, host Alex welcomes Cody Splane, aka @splangerdanger a talented pizza chef, Ooni ambassador, and rising star in the world of pizza content creation. Cody shares his unique journey in the pizza world from doing pop-up events to becoming a social media influencer with a fully-equipped studio kitchen. Alex and Cody dive into the impact of backyard pizza ovens on the industry, Cody's experience competing in pizza competitions, and the art of pizza photography. Cody opens up about his background in cooking, his relationship with Ooni, and his thoughts on the future of pizza-making. The conversation explores the evolving pizza community, the challenges of content creation, and the balance between pursuing pizza passion and maintaining a day job. They also touch on Cody's dream of opening a takeout window slice shop and his philosophy on pizza-making. Peppered with insights on dough-making, cheese choices, and olive oil preferences, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the modern pizza landscape from the perspective of a home chef turned influencer. It's Slice, Camera Action, baby! This Episode's Sponsors→
In this episode, Alex sits down with Bruce Irving of Smart Pizza Marketing and the OG of pizza podcasts. Bruce shares his insights from over a decade of experience interviewing successful pizzeria owners and operators. He and Alex discuss common marketing mistakes pizzerias make, the most important tools for running a successful shop, and the harsh realities of being a business owner that often get glossed over. Whether you're a veteran pizzeria owner or dreaming of opening your first shop, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and a few laughs. Don't sleep on this one! This Episode's Sponsors→
In this episode, Alex sits down with Griffin Baker Pizza Maker, master of social media marketing, who has built a strong following online and has taken things offline in the LA pizza scene to work at two of the most renowned pizzerias in Los Angeles – Ozzy's Apizza and Secret Pizza LA. Griffin shares his journey from crafting pizzas on his patio using a baking steel to today. He delves into how his background in pharmaceutical marketing has influenced his approach to building a strong and engaged following on Instagram. Throughout the episode, Griffin's humble, hardworking, and genuine nature is so apparent as he talks through navigating the challenges and triumphs of entering the pizza industry while weighing his options for what the future holds. https://www.instagram.com/griffinbakerpizzamaker/ This Episode's Sponsors→
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