In the second Pizza Bite from Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen tackle America’s undisputed favorite pizza topping: pepperoni. From the surprising reality of ordering "peperoni" in Italy to its mysterious origins in early 20th-century New York, they explore how an Italian-American community creation transformed into a national culinary staple.

In this episode:

Welcome to the first installment of Pizza Bites, a new series from Eating History featuring short stories from the evolution of pizza. This week, Adrienne and Stephen tackle one of the culinary world's most polarizing debates: pineapple on pizza. From an international controversy involving Iceland’s proposed ban to its true origins in Canada, they explore how a 1960s experiment by a Greek immigrant sparked a global phenomenon.

In this episode:

In episode eight of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey look ahead to the future of pizza while asking one final question: what is pizza now? After tracing its journey from the streets of Naples to every corner of the globe, they explore how technology, sustainability, and changing ideas about authenticity are shaping the next chapter of one of the world’s most beloved foods.

Topics Covered:

What pizza means in the modern world

The debate between authenticity and “authentic-ish” pizza

Ghost kitchens and delivery-only pizza brands

Automation, robotics, and the future of pizza making

Sustainability and pizza’s environmental impact

3D-printed pizza and emerging food technologies

Questions of class, affordability, and accessibility

The tension between innovation and tradition

Japanese pizza culture and the pursuit of perfection through kaizen

Pizza’s journey to space

From ancient traditions to futuristic technologies, this season finale explores how pizza continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to the people, places, and cultures that have shaped it.

In episode seven of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey explore the gourmet pizza revolution that transformed pizza from an everyday meal into a culinary canvas. From Beverly Hills restaurants to neighborhood pizzerias, they trace how innovative chefs, changing tastes, and new technologies challenged traditional ideas about what pizza could be.

Topics Covered:

How Wolfgang Puck and Ed LaDou launched the California pizza movement at Spago

The rise of California Pizza Kitchen and the national spread of gourmet pizza

The debate between tradition and innovation

Chris Bianco in Arizona and the evolving definition of pizza authenticity

How online communities turned pizza into an authenticity battleground

The changing role of pizza during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ghost kitchens, artificial intelligence, and the future of pizza

The next generation of pizza innovation and experimentation

From wood-fired ovens to viral debates, this episode examines how chefs, diners, and technology continue to reshape pizza while raising an enduring question: how much can a dish change before it becomes something entirely new?

In episode six of Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen follow pizza on an unexpected journey back home. After conquering America and much of the world, pizza returned to Italy transformed, forcing Italians to reconsider a food that had once been a regional specialty. Along the way, they explore how migration, globalization, and cultural exchange helped turn pizza into a true international phenomenon.

Topics Covered:

The spread of pizza beyond Naples and across Italy

Luigi Giordano and the first modern pizzeria in northern Italy

How southern Italian migration reshaped Italy's pizza culture

The expansion of pizza throughout Europe

The influence of American military bases on pizza's popularity abroad

The "Pizza Effect" and how cultures reinvent their own traditions

The surprising role of Dean Martin in pizza's global rise

The creation of the Association of True Neapolitan Pizza

Why Domino's struggled to find success in Italy

How pizza adapted to local tastes around the world, from Europe to India

From Naples to Milan, New York to New Delhi, this episode reveals how pizza became one of the world's most adaptable foods, and why its global success sparked a renewed debate over what makes a pizza truly authentic.

In episode five of Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen explore the battle that changed pizza forever. What happens when a beloved local food becomes a national business? From a small pizza shop founded by two brothers in Kansas to the rise of massive restaurant chains, this episode examines how franchising transformed pizza from a regional specialty into one of the world's most recognizable foods.

Topics Covered:

The founding stories of Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and more

How franchising revolutionized the pizza business

The shift from regional pizza traditions to standardized products

Why chain restaurants made pizza accessible across America

The rise of Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Little Caesars

The ongoing tension between independent pizzerias and national chains

The birth and growth of the frozen pizza industry

Pizza's surprising journey back to northern Italy

How pizza became a truly global food

From neighborhood pizzerias to international corporations, this episode traces the business innovations, cultural shifts, and entrepreneurial gambles that turned pizza into a worldwide phenomenon.

In episode four of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey dive into one of pizza’s greatest debates: how did America’s regional pizza styles emerge, and why do people defend them so fiercely? From wartime Chicago to the factories of Detroit, they explore the innovators who transformed pizza from an immigrant tradition into a distinctly American phenomenon.

Topics Covered:

The origins of Chicago deep dish pizza

The partnership that launched Pizzeria Uno

How deep dish challenged conventional ideas of what pizza could be

The key differences between Chicago and New York pizza

The rise of Detroit-style pizza and its automotive roots

Regional pizza identities and rivalries across America

The growth of pizza franchising and commercialization

The tension between preserving tradition and expanding access

From deep dish pioneers to Detroit innovators, this episode uncovers the personalities, business decisions, and cultural forces that helped shape America's pizza landscape, and sparked debates that are still raging today.

In episode three of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey follow pizza across the Atlantic as it makes its way from the streets of Naples to the immigrant neighborhoods of New York City. Discover how pioneers like Gennaro Lombardi helped transform pizza from a quick street snack into a sit-down dining experience, setting the stage for America's pizza obsession.

Topics Covered:

Gennaro Lombardi and the birth of New York's early pizzerias

The surprising ingredient differences between Italy and the United States

Pizza's evolution in New Haven, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and beyond

The role of pizzerias as community gathering places

How World War II helped spark America's pizza craze

The rise of regional pizza styles across the United States

From New York storefronts to regional styles across the Americas, this episode follows the fascinating evolution of pizza as it finds new identities far from Naples.

Join us on episode one of Eating History as we explore the fascinating origins of pizza. Hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey start at the very beginning. Discover how this beloved dish evolved from ancient flatbreads to a global icon.

Topics Covered:

Perfect for food lovers and history enthusiasts alike, this episode uncovers the rich history behind every slice.

In episode two of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey continue the saga of Pizza’s origins. Discover the intriguing story of how pizza evolved from a simple Neapolitan street food to a symbol of Italian identity. Was it truly a royal favorite, or just a clever marketing tale? 

Topics Covered:

The legendary story of Queen ’s pizza

Pizza as a symbol of Italian pride

The iconic tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo

How migration spread pizza globally

Perfect for food enthusiasts and history lovers, this episode uncovers the fascinating origins of pizza and its journey to becoming a global icon.