This insightful article was inspired by content originally published on The MoCo Show by MCS Staff
Introduction
Explore the thrill, taste, and business smarts behind TOAST’s viral 24‑inch pizza slice challeng a pizza phenomenon with lessons for enthusiasts, ingredient suppliers, and pizzeria owners.
The Legend of the “SUPERSLICE”
Perched on the second floor of Emerson Tower overlooking Isle of Wight Bay in Ocean City, MD, TOAST has gained fame for its jaw-dropping 24‑inch New York–style “SUPERSLICE”. What started as a wild idea in 2018 has become a seaside rite of passage: finish the slice in under 12 minutes, and it’s half price at $19; under 5 minutes, and it’s free plus a custom TOAST t-shirt The MoCo Show.
From word‑of‑mouth buzz to social media shares, this challenge has become Ocean City’s hottest pizza spectacle. Winners are rare, but the journey is delicious garnering dozens of comments like:
“Well, it was delicious!!! I can’t wait to go again.” The MoCo Show
and Reddit reactions such as:
“I would eat that like it’s the pizza sushi roll it’s meant to be.”
This isn’t just a meal it’s an unforgettable pizza adventure.
Why the SUPERSLICE Captivates All Three Audiences
🍕 For Pizza Enthusiasts: The Ultimate Pizza Showpiece
- A pizza that doubles as theater. From the moment you lay eyes on that 2‑foot slice, you’re hooked. It’s Instagram gold and PF‑friendly.
- Crust, sauce, topping story. TOAST keeps it classic New York with a hand‑tossed crust, tangy sauce, and quality sausage. It’s massive artisanal pizza ingredients at play.
- Home recreation tips. Want a piece of the action? Try your own pizza dough recipe and scale-up with a best pizza stone for crispy crusts.
🏭 For Pizza Suppliers: Scaling Challenges & Ingredient Opportunities
- Volume ingredients = big demand. One SUPERSLICE eats up a full pound-plus of flour, sauce, cheese, and sausage. That’s a valuable opportunity for bulk pizza ingredients and sustainable pizza sourcing.
- Consistency under pressure. To bake a 24‑inch slice evenly, TOAST needs the right commercial pizza oven, high‑volume dough mixer, and dough conditioners.
- Trend signal. The success of this challenge shows consumers crave novelty and crave sharable pizza experiences. Suppliers should tailor offerings to support viral menu hits: think larger‑format dough balls, pre‑portion bulk sauce, and packaging for oversized pizza kits.
🏪 For Pizza Shop Owners: Marketing & Operational Gold
- Guerilla marketing genius. A single viral slice generates free PR, social media buzz, and foot traffic all without expensive ad spend.
- Operational planning matters. Staff need training on handling oversized dough, pan sizes must be tailored (think custom trays), and ovens need adjustment for heat diffusion.
- Tiered pricing model. TOAST’s deal 50% off or free for speed drives urgency and encourages group participation. Consider implementing similar tiers for your own pizza shop marketing strategies.
- Merch & engagement. Free‑shirt winners become brand ambassadors wearing your logo. Tie this into loyalty programs or social‑sharing contests with a pizza POS system that tracks redemptions and engagements.
Interview with a Pizza Pro: Chef Marco Di Rossi (Hypothetical)
Pizza Magazine (PM): Marco, what makes a challenge slice like this work?
Chef Marco: It’s all about balance and engineering. You need a dough that can stretch 24 inches without tearing, sauce and cheese in perfect ratio, and heat that reaches center. Our ovens run slightly hotter and longer.
PM: Any tips for shop owners wanting to replicate it?
Marco: Absolutely. Invest in a commercial dough mixer that handles large batches evenly. Use premium Italian flour we use Tipo “00” with about 12% protein for strength and elasticity. Consider pizza delivery software to manage orders without chaos.
PM: Why do customers love it?
Marco: It’s rarity meets reward. Few succeed and even those who don’t still get a show, shareable moment, and maybe 50 % off. That’s experience selling better than any ad.
Pro Tips & Toolkit Recommendations
| Audience | Tools & Tips | Affiliate Links |
|---|---|---|
| Enthusiasts | Durable steel best pizza stone or baking steel for even bake. Use a pizza peel to handle large pies with ease. | Best Pizza Stone for Crispy Crusts |
| Suppliers | Invest in bulk flour sacks (25 kg), commercial dough mixers, and high‑capacity industrial ovens. | High‑Volume Commercial Dough Mixer |
| Shop Owners | Acquire a pizza POS system that integrates loyalty perks for challenge participants. Link with pizza delivery software to scale spillover orders. | Integrated Pizza POS System |
- Pizza pro tip: Scale hydration carefully about 60–62% works well for structural integrity in big slices.
- Marketing hack: Host seasonal “challenge weeks” to drive repeat visits.
- Supplier insight: Offer pre-portioned kits 24” dough ball + sauce + cheese for franchisees or pop ups.
Broader Industry Trends
- Plant-based pivot: Offer a vegan SUPERSLICE version with dairy-free cheese and plant-based sausage to ride the rising tide of sustainable pizza demand.
- Automation in pizzerias: Consider automated dough sheeters or combo ovens to make consistent products efficiently especially vital for high-volume challenge days.
- Local sourcing: Promote locally sourced sausage, flour from nearby mills, and farm‑fresh herbs to add an artisanal story that resonates with food‑centric diners.
Final Slice
Ocean City’s SUPERSLICE phenomenon shows that when flavor, scale, and community merge, you get more than a pizza you build an event, a marketing engine, and a business case study all in one. It proves that:
- Pizza enthusiasts crave authenticity, theatricality, and taste.
- Suppliers can carve out niches in novelty and volume.
- Shop owners can grow brand equity through bold menu moves and experiential marketing.
Want to Try a SUPERSLICE–Style Experience?
- For home cooks: Grab a best home pizza oven and the pizza-making tools listed above to microwave your own mini challenge.
- For suppliers & restaurateurs: Explore bulk ingredient options and order commercial gear synced to big‑format baking.
- For pizzeria owners: Run your own challenge promotion, from free‑t‑shirt swag to tiered pricing, powered by your POS and marketing tech.
Pizza History & Fun Facts Bonus
- Pizza super-sizes aren’t new: 19th-century Naples had pizzas rivaling modern large pies just smaller in diameter!
- Challenge culture echoes the restaurant eating contests of the 1920s but today we modernize with gourmet flair and social‑shareability.
In the spirit of innovation and pizza passion, Ocean City’s SUPERSLICE isn’t just media fodder it’s a template for experiential storytelling, scalable pizza tech, and audience engagement. Whether you’re hosting your own version or just watching from the shore, there’s plenty to learn and plenty to taste.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.
