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Ever wondered what it takes to turn a neighborhood pizza joint into a James Beard semifinalist in just one year? You’re about to find out.

Ryan O'Hara, the new owner/chef of Pizza Grace, joins us on The Hot Slice podcast to spill the sauce on his wild journey. O’Hara went from fine dining and ice cream making to pizzeria ownership. We chat about keeping the legendary 25-year-old starter (its name is Frank!) alive while shaking up the menu with natural wines and elevated hospitality.

Ryan gets real about the pushback he faced when rebranding an existing business and why serving “good pizza” just isn’t enough to earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Ready for some serious restaurant ownership inspiration? Let’s dig in!

Show Notes:

Pizza Grace: https://www.pizzagrace.com/

Are you a Pizzeria to Watch?

We are looking for standout pizzerias to feature in our 2026 Pizzerias to Watch in our May issue of Pizza Today. If you would like to be considered, complete our questionnaire for inclusion.

https://pizzatoday.com/pizzerias-to-watch-questionnaire/

Countdown to Pizza Expo

As Pizza Expo approaches, we are preparing for the biggest and best Pizza Expo yet. A couple things of note. Competition spots are filling or are on waitlists, signed up now for remaining competition spots.

Register now for Pizza Expo 2026.

Send us a text

This week, we chat with champion pizza maker and industry leader Lars Smith. Lars co-owns State of Mind Pub and State of Mind Slice House in Palo Alto, California.

Fresh off his recent trip to Italy, Lars competed at the Sigep World in Rimini. His finishes include 2nd place in Pizza in Teglia, 11th place in Pizza alla Pala and 25th place in Pizza Classica. He highlighted his winning pizza, a seasonal winter squash and mushroom pizza with blue cheese, hazelnut, and lemon zest.

Lars emphasized the importance of using high-quality ingredients and maintaining consistency. He also shared his approach to branding, focusing on seasonal offers and a strong brand identity.

Leveraging his expertise, Lars lets us in on his upcoming sessions at Pizza Expo on limited time offers and building a strong brand identity, aiming to help operators improve their business strategies and customer engagement.

Follow Lars on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lboogiesmith/

Learn more about State of Mind at https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindslicehouse/ .

Show Notes:

Are you a Pizzeria to Watch?

We are looking for standout pizzerias to feature in our 2026 Pizzerias to Watch in our May issue of Pizza Today. If you would like to be considered, complete our questionnaire for inclusion.

https://pizzatoday.com/pizzerias-to-watch-questionnaire/

Countdown to Pizza Expo

As Pizza Expo approaches, we are preparing for the biggest and best Pizza Expo yet. A couple things of note. Competition spots are filling or are on waitlists, signed up now for remaining competition spots.

Register now for Pizza Expo 2026.

Send us a text

On this week’s episode, we’re chatting with Marvin Kinney, the owner of R Town Pizza, who set out to bring Detroit-style pies to Reno in 2022. Kinney isn’t just thoughtful about making pizzas, he’s hoping to reform restaurant culture into a place of growth and mutual respect.

We ask Kinney how he keeps food waste under 1% and why he believes in collaboration over competition. From growing up in a pizzeria with parents who were both chefs to creating a family-friendly community hub, Kinney’s journey is packed with actionable insights for every operator.

Show Notes:

R Town Pizza

https://www.rtownpizza.com/

Are you a Pizzeria to Watch?

We are looking for standout pizzerias to feature in our 2026 Pizzerias to Watch in our May issue of Pizza Today. If you would like to be considered, complete our questionnaire for inclusion.

https://pizzatoday.com/pizzerias-to-watch-questionnaire/

Webinar: 2026 Pizza Industry Trends Report: A Deep Dive — January 29th, 2026 @ 2 PM ET

oin Pizza Today editors Denise Greer and Kate Lavin as they slice into the most critical findings from the 2026 Pizza Industry Trends Report.

Sign up for the Webinar.

Countdown to Pizza Expo

As Pizza Expo approaches, we are preparing for the biggest and best Pizza Expo yet. A couple things of note. Competition spots are filling or are on waitlists, signed up now for remaining competition spots.

Register now for Pizza Expo 2026.