pi00a 2024: Asian Inspired Neapolitan Pizzas
DeliveryRank has an exclusive interview with Rylan Stein who leads research and development for pi00a. Pi00a is part of TMRR Foods LLC, a family-owned business dedicated to crafting Neapolitan pizzas with an Asian twist. With a deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion, pi00a builds on the legacy of founders Melody and Russ, who pioneered a 100% Deaf-friendly workplace and innovative culinary creations. Drawing inspiration from diverse cultural backgrounds, pi00a continues to expand its offerings while prioritizing community impact and creative flavor profiles.
Rylan, how did the decision to create a 100% accessible workplace for Deaf employees using American Sign Language influence the culture and success of your business?
My parents are both deaf, and they've always experienced firsthand the challenges of finding employment. I believe the statistic is that 55% of the deaf community is either underemployed or unemployed, which highlights a significant issue that demands greater attention. This reality has deeply influenced our business, providing us with a powerful mission to fight for. It serves as a driving force that fuels our determination to push forward and remain committed to our goals.
Working alongside our team leaders and staff, who are all deaf, I witness their incredible talent and dedication every day. It reinforces my belief that more people in the deaf community deserve similar opportunities. This sense of purpose is central to our business, motivating us to persevere and continue striving to make a meaningful impact.
With roots in Hong Kong and New York City, how do your backgrounds shape the unique fusion of flavors in your Neapolitan pizzas and infusion dishes?
My mom is from Hong Kong, and my dad is from New York. They’ve been in the pizza industry for over 15 years, and my mom always dreamed of opening a restaurant. The compromise was inspired by my dad’s love for New York-style pizza, leading us into the pizza business.
Both Hong Kong and New York are renowned for their vibrant and diverse food scenes, which have deeply influenced our creations. Having visited both places, I’ve been amazed by how their unique cultural flavors blend together. You can see that reflected in our pizzas, such as our miso eggplant variety, which draws from Japanese cuisine.
As we continue to experiment, we’re incorporating more flavors from our culinary experiences and global inspirations. This is especially evident in the collaborations we have gotten to do with other brands' products. These collaborations are very special to me because they’re amazing opportunities to do something different that people haven’t seen before, while making new friends along the way. There’s so much untapped potential in the frozen pizza market for fusion flavors beyond the usual options like margherita or BBQ chicken. My parents’ backgrounds in New York and Hong Kong have allowed us to bring that cultural diversity to our recipes, creating pizzas that are truly unique.
How does pi00a address sustainability in sourcing and crafting its products, particularly with the focus on handmade, fermented pizzas?
For us, sustainability is a priority, and we strive to get as close to zero waste as possible. As a smaller business, achieving this requires meticulous organization, planning, and ensuring our production schedules are on track. For example, our dough has a limited lifespan—if it’s not used within five days, it’s no longer viable, which could lead to waste.
To prevent this, our team leaders, Yordi and Sabrina, have done an incredible job managing daily pizza production to ensure we only prepare what’s needed. Additionally, many of our team members, including my family, love to cook. If something can’t be used in production, we take it home and incorporate it into our meals. This practice helps us minimize waste while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
What role do catering events and pop-ups play in connecting with your audience and promoting your brand identity?
Pop-ups and catering have been vital in our first year of business, especially for building brand awareness. With the constant influx of information on social media and online, it's challenging for a brand to stand out. When people see us at pop-ups or their company hires us for catering, it creates a lasting impression.
This is crucial as we aim to enter major retailers by 2025. We hope customers will recognize and trust our brand based on these earlier encounters. Pop-ups also provide a personal connection—seeing us work, interact, and showcase our mission, including the fact that my parents are deaf. It reinforces the authenticity of our brand and makes our story memorable.
What challenges have you encountered in expanding to nationwide shipping of frozen pizzas while ensuring the same quality and consistency?
One of the biggest challenges of being a frozen food brand is navigating direct-to-consumer shipping. It's a costly process because it requires dry ice to maintain food safety and quality during transit, which also means deliveries must be expedited. Additionally, if a customer isn’t home when the package arrives, it can compromise the product.
We’ve been working on improving these processes since starting direct-to-consumer shipping six months ago. While it's still a learning curve, we’re making progress and are excited to refine our approach further.
If you would like to find out more about pi00a, please visit https://pi00a.com/