Our Team

  • Peppe Miele

    Peppe Miele is an acclaimed Los Angeles-based restaurateur and chef. Born in Naples, Italy he grew up in a city renowned for its culinary traditions. The art of cooking that is synonymous with the Neapolitan heritage has been an integral part of Mr. Miele’s success in the food industry. As a restaurateur, chef, and advocate for the classic Neapolitan pizza, Peppe is a standard-bearer of uncompromising culinary integrity. The food of Naples has been the overarching theme in his critically acclaimed restaurants, commercial cooking classes/trainings workshops and media appearances.

    Mr. Miele is the President of the Verace Pizza Napoletana America the mission of which is to promote the culinary tradition of the Neapolitan pizza by certifying food establishments who uphold the rigorous criteria of AVPN. Under Mr. Miele’s direction, the Verace Pizza Napoletana America has seen a significant increase in membership of restaurants and pizzerias certified to serve authentic Neapolitan pizza. Mr. Miele organizes and teaches cooking classes as well as trainings workshops for future restaurant owners, gourmet chefs and restaurant companies who seek to serve the classic Neapolitan pizza. He has spearheaded the organization of vendors whose products are used to produce the traditional Neapolitan pizza.

  • Eddie Giardina

    Eddie Giardina

    Eddie Giardina is an AVPN-certified Pizzaiolo Verace with training in both Los Angeles and Naples, Italy. He teaches at VPN America and brings over 25 years of experience as a college professor to his work in food and education. Eddie also runs a scrappy catering insurgency across Southern California, serving handcrafted, wood-fired pizza at private events, pop-ups, and community gatherings with a fun spirit and a deep love for bringing people together through food.

  • Mario Vollera

    Mario Vollera is a seasoned restaurateur whose culinary journey began as a teenage pizza chef in his hometown near Rome. After working across Europe in countries like Sweden, Germany, and Spain, he moved to the U.S. in 2008 and joined the team at Antica Pizzeria and Piccolo in Venice, California. In 2013, he co-founded South End Wine Bar with Patrick Brunet, a cozy neighborhood favorite known for its pizza and wine. He went on to reopen the historic Roosterfish Bar in 2018 and launched ŌWA, a sushi restaurant in Venice, in 2023. Known for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest pizza, Mario also specializes in wine, sushi, cocktails, and whiskey. Raised in the Italian countryside, he brings a deep passion, hard work, and a commitment to creating memorable dining experiences.