Pizza Quest-logo

Pizza Quest

Heritage Radio Network

Join the conversation! Pizza Quest is certainly about pizza, but it’s so much more! It’s an engaging celebration of artisanship in all its shapes and forms. Award winning author Peter Reinhart interviews many of the greatest pizza makers in the world, as well as growers, cheese makers, millers, and food producers of all kinds who all who have one thing in common: an unquenchable drive to experience and express the highest level of excellence in their work, and to share it with their friends, family, and customers. Peter explores the varying journeys that led them to achieve prominence in their fields, and also offers listeners demonstrations of their craft, whether making their signature pizzas, or taking us on an in-depth tasting tour of their olive oil, tomatoes, cheeses, and toppings. As Peter is fond of saying, “It’s more about the quest than the pizza, and the quest never ends.”

Location:

United States

Description:

Join the conversation! Pizza Quest is certainly about pizza, but it’s so much more! It’s an engaging celebration of artisanship in all its shapes and forms. Award winning author Peter Reinhart interviews many of the greatest pizza makers in the world, as well as growers, cheese makers, millers, and food producers of all kinds who all who have one thing in common: an unquenchable drive to experience and express the highest level of excellence in their work, and to share it with their friends, family, and customers. Peter explores the varying journeys that led them to achieve prominence in their fields, and also offers listeners demonstrations of their craft, whether making their signature pizzas, or taking us on an in-depth tasting tour of their olive oil, tomatoes, cheeses, and toppings. As Peter is fond of saying, “It’s more about the quest than the pizza, and the quest never ends.”

Language:

English


Episodes

Animal-Free Cheese that Actually Tastes and Performs Like Cheese

3/24/2024
Our guest this week is Inja Radman, co-founder of New Culture Food, a company with a mission to provide the world with animal-free cheese, beginning with mozzarella, that actually tastes and performs like the milk-based originals. Even those with lactose or dairy sensitivities have a love-hate relationship with the current options of faux cheese, usually made with nut and seed milks. New Culture's breakthrough came by breaking the bio-chemical code of milk cheeses and to zero in on casein as the key. Casein is what makes cheese perform like cheese, as Inja explains in this fascinating conversation. Where will it lead, and when will this breakthrough, game-changing product be available to the general public? Listen in as Inja explains it all. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:51:45

Jillana Miller and Ahmad Butler

3/17/2024
This week's episode features Jillana Miller and Ahmad Butler who, together, are the dynamic team known as MillerButler, a sizzling-hot mobile pizza and catering company, based in San Pedro, California. Ahmad competed against Peter and 10 other finalists at the Real California Pizza Contest in Napa back in August, where they first became friends. That's when Peter learned how MillerButler took on the ultra-competitive Los Angeles marketplace, survived the pandemic, and were soon cooking for the stars. You'll hear all about their inspiring journey on this week's all-new episode of Pizza Quest. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:47:12

Paul Lackey of Lloyd Pans

3/10/2024
Lloyd Pans has emerged as the leading supplier of pans for every style of pan pizza, and Paul Lackey is their Director of Operations. On this week's podcast, which was recorded at the Northeast Pizza and Pasta Expo in Atlantic City, Paul describes the manufacturing process that enables Lloyd Pans to respond to the ever-changing needs and trends in the pizza industry with durable but lightweight and affordable pans. As Peter notes, watching the sales charts of the various types and styles of pans is a great way to spot emerging trends across the country and to see what's the next big thing on the horizon. Join Peter and Paul in this enlightening conversation on this week's episode of Pizza Quest. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:17:39

No Glass Ceiling, Shannon Mangini

3/3/2024
Sometimes it just takes moxie. Shannon Mangini is living proof of that. In just a few short years since graduating from U Penn's Wharton School with a degree in economics, entrepreneurship, and finance, Shannon has brought DiFara Pizza to the North Fork of Long Island. In addition, she has been serving as Senior Director of Brands and Partnerships for the OTG Management Group, which owns and operates food concessions in airports around the country. We discuss all of this, happened so quickly, and what's next for this dynamic rising star, on this week's episode of Pizza Quest with Peter Reinhart. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:54:30

World Pizza Champion Anthony Berghela

2/25/2024
Who would have thought that Glenmont, NY, near Albany, would be home to one of the reigning international pizza champions, but that's where Anthony Berghela, of Romo's Pizza, makes it happen. Hear all about how he honed his craft while working his way to the World Pizza Cup Championships in Naples, Italy, where he won first place last year in the American Pizza Division. This is not an overnight success story, but one of hard work, perseverance, and tenacious dedication to the craft. Anthony shares his journey in this conversation with Peter, recorded at the Northeast Pizza and Pasta Expo in Atlantic City, NJ. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:39:26

Anthony Mangieri

2/18/2024
Anthony Mangieri is one of our favorite guests. Now that his NYC restaurant Una Pizza Napoletana was recently anointed by one poll as the "best pizzeria in the world," this is a timely return visit to the show. On this episode, Anthony tells us all about his new line of frozen pizzas under the name Genio Della Pizza, and how he managed to create and package a frozen wood-fired pizza, made in Italy, that he is now bringing it to selected outlets here in the States like Whole Foods Markets. A lot has happened since Anthony's last visit so we're playing catch-up. Hang on for the ride as we enjoy an inspiring conversation with the ever-growing pizza giant, Anthony Mangieri, here on Pizza Quest. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:50:36

Rob Cervoni, King of Roman-Style Pizza in Mineola, NY

2/11/2024
Roman-style pizza is in a steady ascent across the country, due in no small part to the success of this week's guest, Rob Cervoni. Rob is a disciple of the acclaimed Massimiliano Saieva pizza tree, but is now forging his own glittering path. Many of you have seen him kick everyone's butt and become champion on Chopped in 2023, or saw him compete and showcase his work at various Pizza Expo's. Pizza Today named him a rising star in 2022, and now, it's all coming together for him at his Mineola (Long Island) pizzeria, Taglio. At Taglio, many patrons are experiencing the unique pleasures and joys of Roman-style pizza for the first time. Rob shares with us his journey of climbing to the top of the pizza mountain in this delightful conversation recorded at the Northeast Pizza and Pasta Expo in Atlantic City, NJ. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:34:27

Ron Costello

2/4/2024
Peter hasn't seen Ronnie Costello in 53 years, since they played together on their high school baseball team. It has also been 60 years since they attended Belmont Hills Elementary School together. They lived on different sides of Mary Waters Ford Road, the street that, like the Maginot Line, separated the mostly Irish and Italian kids of "The Hill" from the mostly Jewish kids of Penn Valley. There are a lot of stories that each of them could tell (and have) about living on those two sides of the road, and a few years ago Ronnie decided it was time to do just that -- but as a series of imaginative adventure stories under the general title called the On The Hill series. In these books, such as Dead Kids Don't Speak, Insomnia, and The Visitor, the kids that both Ronnie and Peter grew up with back in the day, are now fictional characters (but under their real names) in fabulous action adventures where they go up against the Mafia, Russian spies, and even alien invaders in the 1960's. Think of these books as The Bowery Boys meets The Hardy Boys meets David Lynch, all happening in Belmont Hills. One thing that Ronnie and Peter had in common as kids is that they both loved the pizzas and cheesesteaks at Mama's Pizzeria. Now, 53 years later, they reconnect in this nostalgic, memory-lane conversation about Ronnie's terrific, action-packed books, while discussing all that has passed since those not so innocent childhood days on "The Hill." They also talk about what it was like reinventing Ron's old friends and family members as fictional characters and placing them into outrageous, roller-coaster-like adventures. As you will see, this conversation brought back a flood of memories for them both as they share their divergent journeys of roads taken, and not taken, to places neither of them thought they would go. For more about Ronnie's book's, check out his website at https://www.onthehillbooks.com Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:01:00:31

Michael Vakneen of Truly Pizza

1/28/2024
Welcome back to Pizza Quest. On this episode, Peter talks with one of the fastest rising stars in the pizza firmament, Michael Vakneen, co-founder of Truly Pizza in Dana Point, CA (near Laguna Beach), partnering with pizza legends Chris Decker and John Arena. Michael is also making some of the best pizza in Las Vegas at his Double Zero Pie & Pub. He consults and he competes, winning many of the championships he enters (he's a member of the World Pizza Champions team), working at the highest level in nearly every style of pizza. In short, he is a pizza genius, as well a successful businessman and consultant. Hear all about Michael Vakneen and his quest for greatness right here on this episode of Pizza Quest. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:29:48

Bill Crawford of Righteous Slice

1/21/2024
On this episode we welcome Bill Crawford, former Air Force jet fighter test pilot and, now, the owner of Righteous Slice in Rexburg, Idaho. Bill shows us all about his Grand Prize winning El Pollo Barracho Pizza (aka "Drunken Chicken" pizza, with tequila marinated chicken) from the 2024 Real California Pizza Contest, sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board. Peter competed in this contest too (and didn't win), working directly across the bench from Bill during the competition, so he's particularly excited to hear how Bill came up with his concept. Bill even makes us the winning pizza and takes us on a tour around his Idaho pizzeria, in this fun, fascinating, and informative episode. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:01:08:03

Karen Bornarth of the Bread Baker's Guild of America

1/14/2024
The pizza and artisan bread worlds inevitably found each other during the past two decades, and it's a marriage made in heaven. Now, we see a lot of cross-over as pizzerias are making their own breads and many bakeries are making great pizza. The common denominator in all of this is the Bread Bakers Guild of America, which serves as the networking repository of knowledge and training for everything related to the art and science of bread. The Guild is at the root of the improved quality in bread products across North America and beyond. In this enjoyable conversation, recorded at the Northeast Pizza and Pasta Expo in Atlantic City, Peter (a founding member of the Guild) meets with the Guild's Executive Director, Karen Bornarth, to catch up on the ever-evolving work and influence of the Guild, including the growing influence and opportunities for women in both bread and pizza. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:37:29

Bagels with The Yodi's

1/7/2024
Welcome back to Pizza Quest. Yes, the Yodi's are back! John Arena and Brian Spangler, our two original Pizza gurus who helped launch these Pizza Talk/Pizza Quest shows during the pandemic, are joined by the true global bagel poet laureate of our time, Philip Korshak, for a delightful conversation of show-and-tell as we celebrate the emerging bagel renaissance across the land. More and more pizza operators are getting into bagels, as we've discussed on recent shows, and both John and Brian have, likewise, been bitten by the bagel bug (how's that for alliteration?). They couldn't wait to show Philip their latest results. Join us as we dive ever-deeper down the bagel rabbit hole with three of our favorite guests -- yes, the Yodi's are back! Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:58:06

Roberto Caporuscio and Massimiliano Saieva

12/31/2023
This episode was recorded at the Northeast Pizza and Pasta Expo in Atlantic with two of the giants in the pizza world, Roberto Caporuscio of the acclaimed Kesté Pizza Napoletana in Greenwich Village, and Massimiliano Saieva, the master teacher of the ASR PIZZALAB, who has been featured on Pizza Quest in the past as well as in Peter's book, Pizza Quest. Learn all about how they are raising the bar by educating pizza makers across the world with their pizza schools, and pick up some tips about how they make their extraordinary pizzas. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:40:36

Bagels are Back!

12/17/2023
Yes, bagels are back, with a vengeance! Wonderful shops are bobbing up all over the country, in much the same way as their "kissing cousin" the donut shop. The bagel cycle is fairly predictable, as bagels never really go out of fashion, but the trend often spikes every ten years or so, rejuvenating itself as bakers find more creative ways to make or market them. "Schmears" are sometimes part of the secret sauce of the bagel business, but other factors, such advanced fermentation methods, or the use of non-traditional flours or other ingredients, can play a role. Sometimes it just comes down to bagels being an idea whose time has come -- again! In this episode, Jacob and Alex Cohen, the husband and wife owners of Kismet Bagels, located in Philadelphia's food crazed Kensington/Fish Town neighborhood, share their story of growing Philly's fastest growing bagel company as an intuitively driven outcome of the Covid pandemic. Bagels it would seem, like pizza, are a comfort food whose time has come yet again (and again, and again). Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:01:00:59

Sourdough Pizza with International Champion Will Grant

12/10/2023
Will Grant seemingly burst on the scene about 8 years ago as an "overnight success" after winning the Caputo Cup Championship in NYC for his White Sourdough Pizza with Gorgonzola Creme Sauce. For 25 years prior to that, he had simply been a well-kept secret in the Pacific Northwest at his now destination pizzeria, That's A Some Pizza on Bainbridge Island. His 120-year old sourdough starter is even registered in the International Sourdough Library in St. Vith, Belgium, and Will is now a certified pizza teacher. He also delivered the keynote address at this year's Pizza and Pasta Northeast Expo. Listen in as he shares his story and some of his keynote message. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:29:54

Blaine Parker of Free the Pizza

12/3/2023
This week Peter talks with Blaine Parker, the creator and host of the website "Free the Pizza," a site devoted to the unending quest of making pizza in a home oven as good as those from a pizzeria. Can it be done? Blaine says yes, and has written an entire book showing readers how, as well as posting humorous essays regularly on his site to chronicle his journey at freethepizza.com. He also started a Pizza Prousti thread, inspired by Marcel Proust's famous book, "Remembrance of Things Past" (aka "In Search of Lost Time"), in which Peter contributed a short essay of his fondest pizza food memories. Hear all about it on this week's episode of Pizza Quest! Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:53:56

Scott Wiener and John Gutekanst, Pizza Pioneers

11/26/2023
Two of the most creative forces in the ever-growing pizza community join Peter this week in a conversation recorded at the Pizza and Pasta Northeast Expo in Atlantic City, NJ. Both are monthly contributors to Pizza Today Magazine, and are regular presenters at both Pizza Expo's. At Avalanche Pizza in Athens, Ohio, John Gutekanst continually brings together his early background in white tablecloth fine dining into his current world of pizza, expanding the boundaries of what we narrowly think of as pizza. Scott Wiener, meanwhile, has become one of the most visible global pizza ambassadors as a result of his Scott's Pizza Tours in NYC, his many television and Instagram appearances, Zoom pizza classes, and his man-on-the street articles in magazines. These are the go-to guys when it comes to all things pizza, whether past, present, or future, and they're here in the latest episode of Pizza Quest. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:43:09

All About Pizza University with Francesco Marra

11/19/2023
Francesco Marra is the co-founder of Marra Forni, and also the founder of Pizza University (in Maryland, near Washington DC), where some of the most famous pizza makers in the world teach hands-on classes for both professional and home pizza enthusiasts. In this episode, Francesco tells us of his journey from food service marketing, to creating world class ovens, and now to education, all in the service of advancing the quality and growth of pizza. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:40:13

Ed Zimmerman of The Food Connector

11/12/2023
Ed Zimmerman is a name not many people outside the pizza and food service industry know (though those of us in the pizza world all know him), but all of us, whether inside or outside of the profession, are impacted by the creative work he does. His company, The Food Connector, organizes the annual Real California Pizza Contest, on behalf of their client, The California Milk Advisory Board (the CMAB). This has turned into a major event for professional pizza makers, with serious prize money, and a great way for home chefs to find inspiration for new ways to make pizza by tracking the results and the recipes. Ed fills us in on this year's contest results and many other creative things he and his team do to help promote the pizza industry and its many products. He is a human bundle of creative ferment, as you will see during this stimulating conversation. Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:51:27

Prime-6: A Game-Changer in Wood-Fire Cooking

11/5/2023
Peter welcomes Oron Franco, co-creator (along with his wife Riki) of Prime-6. If you watch Shark Tank, where the Franco's landed a major "Shark," (Keven O'Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful), you already know that this is not ordinary charcoal and fire logs, but is made from 100% hardwood sawdust that has been compressed into logs without the addition of any binders. As you will learn during this conversation, the burning properties of this product change the whole equation of wood-fired cooking -- burning hotter, slower, with more intensity, and with lower emissions than conventional hardwood. With the help of their "Shark," Prime-6 firewood is now available to both the food service and the home consumer markets, and is primed to tip over big-time as a game-changing technology that is already being used in a number of major pizzerias and restaurants. You'll hear all about it, straight from its co- creator, Oron Franco, in this new episode of Pizza Quest! Click here for the video versions of Pizza Quest. If you count on HRN content, become a monthly sustaining donor at heritageradionetwork.org/donate. Pizza Quest is Powered by Simplecast.

Duration:00:41:29