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This month Davide Lubrano has been named a Rising Star of the Pizza Industry. We sat down with Davide and Vince Gallagher, co-owners of the two-unit Pizzata Pizzeria in Philadelphia.

We talk about Davide’s recognition and his recent pizza competition winning streak at Pizza Expo and in Italy. They also share the other benefits of competing.

Pizzata is growing. They recently added a commissary. We talk logistics and equipment, as well as how it is helping the two Pizzata locations thrive, while also planning expansion.

He and friend Vinny Gallagher – along with Davide’s brother, Ciro Lubrano – opened Pizzata Pizzeria as a New York-style slice shop in Philly’s Rittenhouse area in late 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ready to grow, they embarked on Pizzata Pizzeria & Birreria in 2024 with a spacious footprint, indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar and a full, expanded menu.

Read Davide’s Rising Stars feature in Pizza Today: https://pizzatoday.com/topics/people-pizzerias/davide-lubrano-lavadera-pizzata-pizzeria-philadelphia-pennsylvania-rising-star/

Learn more about Pizzata Pizzeria at https://www.pizzatapizzeria.com/ and on Instagram at @Pizzata_pizzeria, @Pizzata_birreria, @Obsession_pizza

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This week, we catch up with the great Mike Bausch. He brings such knowledge, energy and leadership to the pizza community. Mike now has 12 restaurants in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area, including Andolini’s Pizzeria and a newer fine dining spot, Prossimo Ristorante. He’s an Oklahoma’s Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year, No. 1 Amazon best-selling author, Tulsa’s Restauranteur of the Year and a two-time Guinness World Record holder. You can find him each month in the pages of Pizza Today Magazine in his Column “Mike’s Monthly Tip”, where he shares advice and experiences with fellow pizzeria operators.

In a time of uncertainty for many restaurants, Andolini’s is having a banner year. We talk about why and how his restaurants are finding success.

Mike always shares candidly his failures and successes to help other restaurant owners. We talk about what restaurants are currently up against.

If you need a business pep talk, this is the episode for you. Mike drops a lot of wisdom in a short podcast.

Learn more about Andolini’s Pizzeria at https://andopizza.com/ and follow Mike Bausch on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikeybausch/

Check out his latest Mike’s Monthly Tip “Weather the Storm, Build the Bond” at https://pizzatoday.com/topics/operations/mikes-monthly-tip-weather-the-storm-build-the-bond/

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Muhammad Abdul-Hadi just finished a national book tour for his first release, We the Pizza. Since opening Down North Pizza in North Philadelphia in 2021, he has been on a whirlwind of success, from creating Down North Foundation, winning a James Beard Leadership Award and publishing his book.
We chat with Muhammad about the book and how its stories and recipes that work to reduce recidivism rates. Down North Pizza was founded to offer killer pizza and employ formerly incarcerated individuals. Muhammad shares how Down North was built to foster opportunities and resources.
Down North serves up a Philly version of Detroit style pizza. Muhammad details how he got his start in pizza. We also learn what’s next for Muhammad and the Down North Pizza brand.
Learn more about Down North Pizza at https://www.downnorthpizza.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/downnorth_pizza/.

Show Notes:
Registration is now open for Pizza Expo Columbus in October. Competitors: Be sure to register early to reserve your spot in the Great American Pizza Challenge. More details at: https://pizzatoday.com/topics/industry-news/pizza-expo-columbus-registration-is-now-open/

If you have an interest in being a judge at the Great American Pizza Challenge, complete a Great American Pizza Challenge (GAPC) Volunteer Judging Application 2025 at

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbvLPlkTjLGwZdbaheeyrOQrfv6GWFZLF658OXIXhKUONU8A/viewform .