What happens when a chef steps away from the frantic pace of high-end kitchens to build a life centered around family, community, and the beauty of the outdoors 🍕?
In this episode of the Pizza Story Podcast, I sat down with Brandt Bishop, owner and founder of Best Slope Pizza; a mobile Neapolitan setup bringing incredible pies to Western Colorado between Telluride and Aspen ⛰️.
Brandt’s journey is full of unexpected twists. He shares what it was like getting bit by the pizza bug as a picky 9-year-old on a trip to Avignon, France (where he realized crust could actually taste amazing!), before returning home to rural Colorado and eating frozen pizza for the next decade . After years of working every position from dishwasher to executive chef in Seattle, he realized he needed a change of pace and a better quality of life❤️.
When he returned to his home county, a small community of 30,000 people with a town of less than 1,000, he noticed how much locals craved great food made with ingredients from nearby organic farms. What started as small food pop-ups eventually led him back to pizza, where he found a way to combine his love for fine-dining flavor profiles with a fun, approachable menu inspired by 90s hip-hop (like "The Ilmatic" and "The MF Shroom") and local Colorado heritage (like "The Green Lantern" pie with green chili jam and cilantro pesto) 🤤.
Most importantly, Brandt shares how building his own small, mobile business allowed him to slow down, be home by 5:00 PM, spend time in nature, and truly connect with the community he calls home. Settle in, grab a cup of coffee or a slice, and enjoy this warm conversation about starting over, honoring local growers, and finding joy in the simple things ☕️!
🎙 Episode Highlights
✅ 00:00 – Welcome to the Pizza Story Podcast with Erica D'Arcangelo
✅ 00:34 – Growing up in Colorado, moving to Seattle, and coming back home
✅ 01:24 – The 9-year-old in Avignon, France: The moment pizza crust changed his perspective
✅ 02:23 – From French pizza back to 10 years of DiGiorno’s in rural Colorado
✅ 02:39 – Starting out in Seattle: Building pies at Pagliacci Pizza
✅ 03:13 – Working every role from dishwasher to executive chef in Seattle kitchens
✅ 03:51 – Shifting priorities in his 30s: Looking for a better quality of life
✅ 05:08 – Watching The Bear and reflecting on life behind the line
✅ 06:17 – Moving back to a town of under 1,000 people
✅ 07:10 – The lightbulb moment: Watching a local salad pop-up at a bar
✅ 08:00 – Listening to the community & pivoting to pizza pop-ups
✅ 09:18 – Remembering his very first pizza building experiences
✅ 10:37 – The funny, humbling pizza night with friends that sparked a new passion
✅ 12:29 – Setting up under a tent and serving 100 pies to local neighbors
✅ 16:40 – Making a pie for the "crust skippers" who usually leave edges behind
✅ 17:20 – Sourcing organic produce, beef, and lamb from Western Colorado farmers
✅ 18:30 – "The Green Lantern" pie: Bringing Colorado green chili stew flavors to pizza
✅ 20:00 – 90s Hip-Hop inspirations on the menu: "The Ilmatic" & "The MF Shroom"
✅ 22:43 – Taking care of customers who order pies to-go
✅ 24:29 – Finding life balance: Being home by 5 PM and enjoying nature
✅ 25:37 – Looking ahead: Local frozen pies and future storefront dreams
✅ 27:34 – How to find Best Slope Pizza between Telluride and Aspen, Colorado
Connect with Brandt & Best Slope Pizza:
📸 Instagram: @bestslopepizza
🌐 Website: https://www.iwantza.com
🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, leave a comment, and subscribe to the Pizza Story Podcast to support independent storytellers and local pizzerias!
🍕🇮🇹 About the Podcast
From local artisans and celebrities to legendary pizzerias keeping Italian culture alive, we're sharing the untold stories, deep-rooted traditions, and authentic history behind the best pies in the world, one slice at a time.
#pizza #bestslopepizza #coloradoeats #foodstorytelling #cheflife
