Have you ever thought about inviting potential clients over, hoping to land a catering gig?

In today's episode, we're diving into a unique approach to catering, where the pizza isn't just a meal—it's an experience. Linda and Abby of Fired Up Fresh, share how inviting potential clients over for a pizza tasting at their own home has become their secret weapon for growing their business. Serving up signature wood-fired pizzas, they take us through how they've built up their passionate business.

Highlights:

Pizza Tastings as a Business Strategy: Learn how Linda invites potential clients to her home for to experience the food before booking a catering event. It’s a fun, personal way to connect and showcase what the business is about.

Signature Pizzas and Wood-Fired Perfection: Linda and Abby walk us through the process of making their fan-favorite pizzas, including the flavorful Mexican Steak Pizza, all cooked in their 19-year-old Mugnainii wood-fired oven.

The Role of Fresh, Local Ingredients: Discover why they prioritize fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients for their pizzas and how this commitment adds an unbeatable quality to their dishes.

How Par-Baking Saves Time: Linda and Abby share how par-baking pizzas help streamline catering events, ensuring everything runs smoothly without compromising on taste.

Check out Fired Up Fresh here:

831-750-2994

https://www.instagram.com/firedupfresh/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Fired-Up-Fresh/100054240770535/

https://www.firedupfresh.net/

Thank you to our show sponsors:

Corto Olive Oil:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=

Ooni Pizza:

http://ooni.com/?sscid=51k7_g9gpn&utm_medium=shareasale&utm_source=2800064&utm_campaign=1232202

Bacio Cheese:

https://www.baciocheese.com/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Podcast_Social_Web&utm_campaign=Whats_Good_Dough&utm_content=Bacio

DM @whatsgooddough

https://www.instagram.com/whatsgooddough/

email me: eidref@whatsgooddough.com

Topics:

Pizzeria

Wood fired Oven

Fired Up Fresh

Mugnaini Wood-Fired Oven

Linda Ortega

Catering

Relationships

Good Connection

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Scott, who is the second-generation owner of a cheese-shredding manufacturing company that’s made waves in the world of pizza (and any other business that shreds cheese).

We’ll also dive into the nitty-gritty of what makes this shredder different from all the others, how they navigated the unexpected challenges of the COVID era, and much more.

Highlights:

• Scott talks about how his father’s frustration with shredding cheese by hand led him to create a machine that could do the job faster, better, and more efficiently. This wasn’t just about innovation for its own sake, but about solving a real problem in the kitchen.

• So many cheese shredders out there look similar, but Scott explains what makes their machine truly unique. From the design to the motor to the overall experience, we hear exactly why their shredder is a cut above the rest.

• He explains how they worked hard to find that sweet spot, making sure the machine is accessible for both big and small businesses without compromising on quality.

• Like many businesses, Scott’s family had to adapt during the pandemic. He shares the challenges they faced in keeping the business going.

• Scott shares how his father reflects on what it took to make a product that people love. It wasn’t just about making a good shredder—it was about creating something that would stand the test of time.

  
  

Check out Palazzolo Cheese Hog here:

https://cheesehogmachine.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082949066668

https://www.instagram.com/original_palazzolos_cheese_hog/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ_HbvCXu-v-6RnVyLmxHA

Thank you to our show sponsors:

Corto Olive Oil:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=

Ooni Pizza:

http://ooni.com/?sscid=51k7_g9gpn&utm_medium=shareasale&utm_source=2800064&utm_campaign=1232202

Bacio Cheese:

https://www.baciocheese.com/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Podcast_Social_Web&utm_campaign=Whats_Good_Dough&utm_content=Bacio

DM @whatsgooddough

https://www.instagram.com/whatsgooddough/

email me: eidref@whatsgooddough.com

Topics:

Pizzeria

Community

Slice Shop

State of Mind

Lars Smith

Business Plan

What does it take to run a successful slice shop that keeps customers coming back, while navigating the everyday business struggles?

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Lars Smith, a seasoned pizza entrepreneur with over 23 years of experience in the industry. After returning from a trip to Brooklyn with his wife, Lars dove into opening up a slice shop concept. Here, he share best practices, lessons learned, and the keys to creating a thriving, customer-driven pizza business. If you’re thinking about starting your own slice shop or just want to learn more about the pizza business, make sure to follow Lars’ journey and take note of the tips he shares.

Highlights:

• Lars shares what makes a great location for a slice shop, including foot traffic, neighborhood vibe, and accessibility.

• Building loyalty is essential in a slice shop. Lars discusses how customer engagement keeps people coming back, from personalized service to creating a welcoming environment. He opens up about the day-to-day challenges of managing a busy slice shop and keeping the quality consistent.

• Figuring out which pizzas to sell at the right time is a mix of experimentation and data collection. Lars shares how he uses trial and error, time-of-day analysis, and sales data to minimize food waste.

• We get a look at how Lars' pizza is made, with a sneak peek into his process of creating the perfect slice.

• Whether you’re opening your first shop or expanding, Lars explains why having a solid business plan and understanding the “flow” of your restaurant is crucial for long-term success.

Check out State of Mind here:

https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/

https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/

Follow State of Mind here:

https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindpub

https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindslicehouse/

Follow Lars Smith here:

https://www.instagram.com/lboogiesmith/?hl=en

Thank you to our show sponsors:

Corto Olive Oil:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=

Ooni Pizza:

http://ooni.com/?sscid=51k7_g9gpn&utm_medium=shareasale&utm_source=2800064&utm_campaign=1232202

Bacio Cheese:

https://www.baciocheese.com/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Podcast_Social_Web&utm_campaign=Whats_Good_Dough&utm_content=Bacio

DM @whatsgooddough

https://www.instagram.com/whatsgooddough/

email me: eidref@whatsgooddough.com

Topics:

Pizzeria

Community

Slice Shop

State of Mind

Lars Smith

Business Plan