Be Commited to the Commitment

A few weeks ago I was able to spend some time in Chicago at the National Restaurant Show. Times are tough, no doubt about it. The show certainly had fewer attendees than we have seen in the past. Some of the booths and exhibits were scaled down. Of course some businesses chose to skip the [...]

It’s all about the dough, no it’s the oven, no it’s…..

 Everyone has an opinion about what makes a pizza great, and by extension what makes a great pizzeria. We want to find something that we can focus on, some key element that simplifies the process. Well the answer is… Willie Mays. That’s it… Willie Mays! Runs, hits, makes the big plays, steals bases, bangs out [...]

Full Contact Cooking- Celebrity Chef VS Grandma

I have some great friends  at Nick’s Pizza and Pub in suburban Chicago who have generously shared their unique business philosophy with me over the past few years.
One of the guiding principles of Nick’s is that all food must pass “the Grandma test”. Before bringing a food item to the table, employees must ask themselves if they would serve the [...]

ssssshhhhhhh… It’s a Secret

In the early 1900’s there was a legendary jazz musician named Freddie Keppard. Most people never heard of him and here’s why: Freddie Keppard was always afraid that some young musician would steal his secrets. He was so paranoid he would play his horn with a handkerchief over his hands so rivals couldn’t see what [...]

The 2 Secret Ingredients of Pizza

If you are reading this it’s safe to say you are a pizza fanatic. You have probably traveled to hundreds of pizzerias in the quest for the mythological “perfect pie” You have spent hours debating the merits of different types of ovens, flour, cheese and tomatoes. Over time what becomes painfully clear is that there is [...]

The Tao of WOW!

I know this has happened to everyone. You discover a new pizzeria, some really cool little spot that no one seems to know about. The service, vibe and food blow you away. You think “WOW! I can’t wait to bring my friends here” You talk it, up gather all of your favorite pizza fanatics, and with [...]

Our Chicago pizza brother

Our Chicago pizza brother

Brooklyn’s Finest

Brooklyn’s Finest

Dough is the plate we serve delicious ingredients on, so check…

Dough is the plate we serve delicious ingredients on, so check out why it’s so important to make your plate by hand.

Best tour in New York City

Best tour in New York City

About John Arena

From Las Vegas, NV

Professional Credentials and Awards:
    • Created and taught the nation’s first accredited university-level pizza class, History and Culture of Pizza at UNLV’s School of Hospitality
    • Third-generation pizza chef with 40+ years of experience
    • First independent pizza operator to receive “Pizza Operator of the Year” Award from the National Association of Pizza Operators.
    • Teacher of the first three-time World’s Pizza Making Champion
    • Owner/founder of Metro Pizza with five successful locations
    • Selected as one of the “Top Ten Pizzerias in America” in “Everybody Loves Pizza” by Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby
    • Featured on Entertainment Tonight and Live with Regis and Kathy Lee
    • Listed as one of the ten best pizzerias in the country by USA Today
    • Five-time Zagat’s “Best Pizza” Award winner
    • Multiple winner-“Best Of” in the Las Vegas Review Journal
    • Repeat winner-“Best Pizza” at Citysearch.com
    • Instructor of pizza making team building classes for corporate clients including: AMEX, Coca Cola and Avis
    • Teacher of over 2500 cooking students at monthly pizza making classes
    • Seminar Leader for International Pizza Expo
    • Extensive international travel to research the history and development of pizza and its many variations
    • Pizza maker to three US Presidents