This article was inspired by content originally published on Los Angeles Times by Stephanie Breijo, available at the Los Angeles Times article on the LA Pizza Alliance.
The scent of wood smoke and oregano drifts through Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. Under street lamps and amidst steaming mobile ovens, a coalition of chefs and pizzerias has reignited a tradition that’s both radical and deeply human: feeding a city with free food. This year, the LA Alliance doubled down on its mission, serving nearly 1,800 pizzas and a feast of support to Angelenos in need — not as a one-off spectacle, but as a reminder that food, when shared, is purpose.
It began in January 2025, in the ashes of the catastrophic Altadena and Palisades wildfires, when about two dozen local pizza makers spontaneously banded together to feed evacuees, firefighters and residents left in crisis. That early event was a lifeline, but this year’s rally — organized with greater coordination and broader participation — feels like the start of something enduring.
This is more than free slices. It’s an evolving model of communal resilience, where shop owners, chefs and volunteers double as first responders with peel in hand and the belief that comfort food can feed more than just hunger.
The Rise of a Coalition: From Crisis Response to Community Tradition
The heart of the Alliance beats in Chinatown outside La Sorted’s, where ovens lined the sidewalk and colorful pizza boxes waited to be loaded onto delivery vehicles. Chefs from nearly every corner of the Los Angeles pizza scene — from Old Gold Tomato Pies in Los Feliz to Pizzeria Sei of the L.A. Times’ best list — fired up dough and toppings with reckless generosity and refined skill.
“Food is for the people,” says La Sorted’s co-organizer Tommy Brockert, capturing the ethos that fuels the Alliance. This wasn’t a celebration; it was a promise renewed — to show up, again and again, for anyone who needs a warm meal.
What started as a chaotic, 48-hour scramble last year has become a well-planned event. Delivery drivers queued for stacks of boxes ready to carry slices to shelters, community centers, and homes. For many of the participating pizzerias, it was more than networking or goodwill , it was about knitting back together the fabric of a city that had been frayed by disaster.
Part of the reason this tradition resonates so deeply is the unique place food holds in Los Angeles culture ,a cosmopolitan melting pot where Neapolitan pies rub shoulders with Korean-inspired toppings and artisanal flatbreads, and where community is measured by shared crusts and shared stories.
At the event, some chefs even expanded beyond traditional pies. William Joo of Pizzeria Sei busted out flatbreads dressed with pesto and mortadella, and others folded marinated meats sourced from local Korean eateries into creative sandwiches straight off the oven rack.
Legendary pizzaiolo Chris Bianco , whose influence stretches from Arts District pizza temples to neighborhood kitchens — contributed slices from his famed Pizzeria Bianco and Pane Bianco, underscoring the communal pull of this moment. “This is one of the kindest groups of people,” Bianco said. “They don’t ask questions. A part of me came here just to convene and interact with humanity.”
Behind the Scenes: Organizing for Impact
Pulling off an event of this scale takes more than dough and ovens — it requires infrastructure and thoughtful workflows. The Alliance leaned into streamlined kitchen systems and planning processes that remind many of commercial pizza equipment setups used in high-volume operations. This year’s success came from spreading the prep work over several days, setting up staging areas, and ensuring volunteers and drivers were coordinated for maximum reach.
Future plans include ongoing fundraisers, collaborations with national relief nonprofits like Slice Out Hunger, and tie-ins with larger industry gatherings like the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Through these efforts, the Alliance is evolving beyond a single night into a year-round hub for food security and community care.
Voices From the Ovens
Pizza makers weren’t just feeding a city; they were sharing stories, laughter, and solidarity.
Jeffrey Vance of Old Gold Tomato Pies spoke about networking within the community — but also about how this work grounded him in something bigger than business. “It was a no-brainer to say yes,” he said, reflecting on how the Alliance grew organically as pizza lovers answered a shared call to serve.
Ines Glaser, chef-owner of Lupa Cotta, recalled a grim moment last year when the fires dominated the news cycle. Today, she sees happiness, connection and healing around the ovens. “If we can all network and be there for each other, then I think we can all lift each other up,” she said.
Why Pizza Works as a Relief Model
For home enthusiasts and operators alike, there’s a lesson here: when food serves community first, it becomes a force for social connection and resilience. Whether you’re bustling behind a professional oven in a brick-and-mortar shop or tossing pies at a charity event, the slice you make — and share — is part of a larger story of belonging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LA Pizza Alliance?
The LA Pizza Alliance is a coalition of local pizzerias and chefs in Los Angeles that came together after the 2025 wildfires to provide free pizza and other meals to those affected by disasters and hardships.
How many pizzas were served at the latest event?
In the 2026 event, more than 1,800 pizzas were served, nearly double the number from the first gathering in 2025.
Who organizes the LA Pizza Alliance?
The Alliance was co-founded by community organizers including David Turkell and supported by pizzeria owners such as Tommy Brockert of La Sorted’s.
Can anyone receive food at these events?
Yes. The Alliance’s philosophy is simple: if you need a warm meal, they’ve got your back — no questions asked.
How can pizza makers get involved?
Local pizza makers interested in participating can reach out to Alliance organizers through community forums and local pizza networks to join future events and relief efforts.
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