2021 KEYNOTES
The Keynote Addresses are FREE for all registered attendees.
Keynote 1 — Anthony Falco | International Pizza Consultant
Tuesday, August 17 | 8:15 am – 9:15 am
This year’s opening keynote speaker will be world renowned pizzaiolo and famed Pizza Czar Anthony Falco. As is the case with many pizza makers of Italian heritage, Anthony first learned his pizza-making skills from his Sicilian grandmother.
Anthony opened his first restaurant in Seattle in 2003 without much acclaim. But that changed when he decided to move to New York City in 2007 to pursue his dream and passion for pizza. He landed jobs at Pulino’s, Vinegar Hill House and then finally legendary Roberta’s, which became an international brand. It’s earned two Michelin stars and is a favorite of pizza aficionados visiting New York City. After developing the frozen pizzas, building their Web site and designing t-shirts for Roberta’s, he decided it was time for another career change.
Since leaving Roberta’s after nine amazing years, he’s consulted with clients from around the globe doing what he does best: helping restaurateurs perfect their craft and business. His goal is always the same: to help his clients develop the ideal pizza for their chosen concept and then moving on once his job is finished. He’s a self-proclaimed international pizza consultant, taking his skills, knowledge and industry connections he’s amassed and sharing it with anyone who wants to get into the business. People tell him he’s got a dream job to be able to travel the world eating pizza. He insists however, that it’s because of the clients he consults with — young people just starting out in the pizza industry, entrepreneurs who are pursuing their life-long dreams of owning a successful pizzeria and chefs who are more talented than him. I think you’ll find Anthony’s story fascinating and inspirational.
Keynote 2 — Mike Bausch | Owner at Andolini’s
Wednesday, August 18 | 8:15 am – 9:15 am
MIKE BAUSCH is a Restaurant industry leader and Author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller book Unsliced: How to Stay Whole in the Pizzeria Industry.
Mike and his brother Jim are the Owners of Andolini’s Pizzeria, a top ten pizzeria in the US, as named by TripAdvisor, BuzzFeed, CNN, and USA Today. Andolini’s began in 2005 and has grown to five pizzerias, two gelaterias, two food hall concepts, a food truck, and a fine dining restaurant by 2019. Mike is a World Pizza Champion, a Guinness Book world record holder, and a writer for Pizza Today.
Mike is part of a Marine Corps family who has lived across America from New York to California. Mike calls Tulsa home and lives with his wife, Michelle, and son, Henry.