By Brian Hernandez
Pizza has long been the universal language of joy, but in Charleston, S.C., it is about to get its own festival-sized spotlight. The inaugural Lowcountry Pizza Fest, taking place on Sunday, September 14 at The Refinery, will gather pizza makers, families and foodies from across the region to celebrate everything from traditional pies to creative twists, all while giving back to the community through Slice Out Hunger.
To learn more about the vision and passion behind this event, I sat down with Mike Pitera, owner of Pizza A Modo Mio and a member of PMQ’s U.S. Pizza Team, who co-created the festival.
Brian Hernandez: What inspired you to get involved and co-create the Lowcountry Pizza Fest?
Mike Pitera: Pizza has always been about bringing people together, and that’s exactly what inspired me to help co-create the Lowcountry Pizza Fest. Charleston has such a vibrant food culture, but we’ve never had a festival that truly showcases pizza in all its styles and creativity. This was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the craft, highlight incredible local talent, and give the community a chance to come together around something we all love, pizza.
Hernandez: Can you share how your background, from growing up in Brooklyn pizzerias to building Pizza A Modo Mio in Charleston, shaped your vision for this festival?
Pitera: Growing up in Brooklyn, pizza wasn’t just food, it was a way of life. I learned the craft in classic New York pizzerias where tradition, quality and community mattered. When I moved to Charleston and built Pizza A Modo Mio, I brought that same passion with me but also embraced new styles and flavors. My vision for this festival is rooted in that blend: honoring the traditions of pizza while celebrating innovation and giving people a chance to experience pies they may not have tried before.
Hernandez: The festival promises fun contests like the Largest Dough Stretch and what sounds like a pizza eating contest. What do you hope attendees take away from these playful elements?
Pitera: At the end of the day, pizza is fun. The contests are a way to remind everyone—kids, families and even the most serious pizza lovers—that pizza is about joy and connection. Whether it’s stretching dough higher than you thought possible or cheering someone on in a pizza eating contest, these moments break down barriers and create lasting memories. I hope people leave not just full of great pizza but with smiles and stories to share.
A Festival with Purpose
What makes the Lowcountry Pizza Fest more than just a tasting event is its mission. A portion of proceeds will support Slice Out Hunger, a nonprofit that harnesses the power of pizza to fight food insecurity. And beyond the charity, this is a chance to highlight the pizza prowess of Charleston’s own makers while welcoming the U.S. Pizza Team into the mix.
Hernandez: Speaking of Slice Out Hunger, why is giving back through pizza especially meaningful to you and your business?
Pitera: Pizza has given me everything: my career, my business and the ability to connect with people all over the country. Being able to use it as a tool to give back is incredibly important to me. Slice Out Hunger does amazing work making sure those in need have access to food, and supporting them feels like the perfect extension of what pizza is all about: feeding people and caring for the community.
Hernandez: What are you most looking forward to personally at the festival? Is there a moment, activity or collaboration you can’t wait for?
Pitera: For me, it’s about the energy. Seeing families, foodies and pizza makers all in one place enjoying themselves is going to be special. I’m especially excited to collaborate with fellow pizza makers, share ideas and showcase what we can do when passion and creativity come together. And of course, watching those contests is going to be a blast!
Hernandez: As someone deeply involved in local outreach, from school fundraisers to pizza making demos, how do you see this event advancing your mission in the Charleston community?
Pitera: This festival is an extension of the work we do every day, building connections through pizza. By creating a space where local businesses, families and the community can come together, we’re strengthening those bonds. I hope this event not only raises money for a good cause but also sparks more local collaborations, inspires kids to explore food and creativity, and reminds people that Charleston is a place where community and cuisine go hand in hand.
Closing Slice
The Lowcountry Pizza Fest isn’t just about pizza. It’s about connection, creativity and community impact. Thanks to leaders like Mike Pitera, Charleston’s food scene now has a new way to gather around the table. Whether you come for the pies, the contests or the cause, you’ll leave with more than a full stomach, you’ll leave with a piece of the Lowcountry spirit.
Brian Hernandez is PMQ’s associate editor and coordinator of the U.S. Pizza Team.
