Peyton is a primary authority on Neapolitan pizza, and one of the elite pizza makers in America.
Peyton has made it his mission to become an expert in pizza worldwide. Having eaten at well over 300 pizzerias across the globe, from across the Americas, to Naples, to Japan, Peyton has a unique understanding of where the bar is for truly great pizza. Combined with his commitment to improvement and continuous learning, and practice at the side of many of the best at their craft, Peyton excels at a variety of pizza styles:
NY Style
Sicilian
Grandma
Wood-fired
Peyton Smith is among the country's more skilled practitioners of pizza Napoletana, and you would know this, had you already ventured to downtown Winston-Salem, home to Mission Pizza Napoletana and one very handsome wood-fired Ferrara oven since 2014. Smith is also an excellent reminder that when it comes to great pizza, where you come from (Smith grew up right here) and who your friends are (not a lot of national media hanging out around Winston-Salem, one imagines) mean nothing. What counts is passion, attention to detail, and ultimately, what comes out of that exceptionally hot oven.
-DAVID LANDSEL, Senior Editor Food & Wine
“The first time I ate at Mission Pizza Napoletana, I had a couple wonderful pizzas as well as a bowl of bucatini amatriciana. Dinner was amazing. I assumed it was a fluke because I am rarely satisfied when dining at Italian restaurants in the US. But I went back again, and again; each time it was excellent. Consistency is one of the most difficult things to ensure in this business, and Peyton and his staff have achieved making a consistently great product. Without hesitation, I would recommend Peyton to anyone looking to learn how to properly make Pizza Napoletana. ”
— STEFANO VIGLIETTI, 2018 JBF SEMI-FINALIST BEST CHEF MIDWEST; OWNER IL RITROVO, VPN CERTIFIED PIZZERIA SINCE 2000
“Whether it’s starting a new venture, catering a large festival, or just daily dinner service Peyton stays calm, cool, and collected and each step he takes is always forward and never back. No matter what it is, if Peyton is on your team you’ll get it done and done right.”
— ALBERTO DE CICCO, FORZA PIZZA