Intro
If you’ve spent any time scrolling pizza reels, chances are you’ve already seen a sizzling pie from The Mayor of Pizza. From mic’d‑up cheese pulls to jumbo 22” Ooni bakes, he’s built a community that’s half pizza‑lab, half hype‑house. But behind the viral crust shots is a cancer survivor, a collaborator, and a guy who still geeks out over sauce tweaks like the rest of us.
We sat down with the Mayor for a rapid‑fire round of 20 questions — about ovens, collabs, controversy (pineapple?!), and what it takes to cook pizzas that stop the scroll.
The Questions :
1. You’re the “king of sizzle” — what’s your secret to that perfect crackle on camera and in real life?
Haha, too kind! Maybe Mayor of Sizzle is more accurate. Honestly, it’s just my iPhone mic close to the Ooni Karu 2 Pro — and good oven acoustics!
2. If someone buys their first Ooni today, what’s the exact 3‑pizza progression you’d make them cook to level up?
Start in a pan on a baking steel. Master that before Ooni. Then transition up gradually — there’s a learning curve.
3. You challenged folks to a 22” pie in the Ooni Koda 2 Max. Biggest mistake people make going jumbo?
Edges cook way too fast against the burners — crust gets nuked before the middle is done.
4. NY‑style vs. American pepperoni feast — which racks up faster engagement?
Cheese pulls and first bites rule. That’s the golden ticket of algorithm love.
5. What’s a controversial pizza opinion you stand by?
Mushrooms are underrated — but man, the hate is real. Pineapple too, but mushrooms catch more heat than you’d think.
6. Your reels often pair music with dough action. What’s a song that makes or breaks a shot?
Trending songs spike engagement, but I still sneak in my favorites like the Dead and Springsteen… not Gen Z‑friendly though!
7. For home cooks: one dough tweak that delivers the biggest wow on camera?
Great crust structure + tan. @davespizzaoven nails it every time.
8. Brand collabs done right — what makes them authentic vs. cringe?
Keep some honest critique in play. Being an Ooni ambassador is a privilege, but I still share both pros and cons.
9. Sauce talk — is “My Sauce” locked or still evolving?
Locked for 5 years. Only tweak: cutting salt if meats are salty.
10. Favorite “one‑take” pie — the reel that needed no edits?
A simple steel‑baked home oven pizza. No music. No edits. 25M views. Wild!
11. If Instagram banned cheese pulls, what’s your new hook?
Sizzles. The “drive‑by sizzles” work every time.
12. Most slept‑on Ooni accessory?
Digital scale. I use it daily. Great for yeast measurements under 1g.
13. Viral rescue — 30‑second fix for home oven mistakes?
Add sugar to dough for better crust color. Works like magic at 550°F.
14. Collab wish list: who would you cook with next?
@pizzofart again. Spent days with him at Pizza Expo — one of the funniest guys I know.
15. Personal PR pizza — the one that tells your story as a cancer survivor + creator?
Pepperoni + jalapeño. It became “The Mayor” pizza at Sparrow Pizza Bar. Huge honor.
16. Thin crisp vs. airy undercarriage — how do you dial in texture?
63% hydration. Pan bakes for crisp fry. Lately mixing bread & AP flour 50/50 for crisp + chew.
17. Go‑to pizza for “people who don’t like pizza”?
Mayor Style pizzas. Usually converts them instantly. Better dough + better toppings = revelation.
18. In full‑bake vids — which moment decides if it’s a banger?
When cheese leopards up and mingles into sauce, turning orange. That’s the magic cue.
19. Hot take: pineapple, ranch, or cup‑and‑char pepperoni? Which blows up your DMs?
Pineapple for the haters. Cup‑and‑char pepperoni for the love — they look like tiny oil hot tubs. Delicious.
20. If you had to teach a 60‑second “viral pizza” masterclass — what are the 5 non‑negotiables?
Copy what @pizzofart, @teds_zaza, and @davespizzaoven are doing. Good lighting. Good camera. Strong edits. Share reels with other creators for reach. Trends move fast.
The Mayor of Pizza proves you don’t need a wood‑fired restaurant or TV deal to create pizzas that connect. It’s about curiosity, play, and a willingness to broadcast both the wins and fails. Whether you’re team pineapple or anti‑mushroom, just remember: life’s too short not to try another slice.
Follow the Mayor’s journey at @TheMayorOfPizza and keep your ovens hot.
