CHEF CONVERSATIONS

In the kitchen with Manny Carino of Pitch Pizzeria

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS

Manny Carino is the executive chef of Pitch Pizzeria, where he offers unexpected experiential dishes right alongside his evolving menu of Italian and American offerings.

How did you start cooking?

I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, at 14. Once in the states, I cooked at home for myself often. It gave me the confidence take a job at a French restaurant in high school. I had that job, and mentored under that French chef, for 17 years.

Was there a singular dish that inspired you to pursue a culinary career?

I will never forget the day I made my first chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes, from pounding and breading the meat, to crafting the roasted red pepper sauce for the potatoes. When guests raved, the feeling was intoxicating. I still feel the same elation cooking today.

How did you make your way to Pitch?

I joined the opening team in Omaha in 2009 as a line cook back when the plan was to be solely a pizza and meatball shop. Within three months, I became executive chef, and we evolved our thinking of what Pitch could be, first in Nebraska and then in Arizona when we opened our first Scottsdale location in 2018.

How has the restaurant evolved?

We use the name Pitch Pizzeria mostly to avoid changing the website, but we are well beyond pizza and meatballs (though they are still on the menu and better than ever). Today, both at the Quad and our new North Scottsdale location, our motto is that heat lamps are for cheaters. Everything on our massive menu, which ranges from entrees, specials and seafood to sandwiches, salads and brunch, is made with love from scratch.

What are can’t-miss dishes on the menu?

You have to order the pappardelle pasta with fennel seed sausage, oven-baked crab cakes, truffle fries with specialty aioli, Brussels sprouts, Calabrese meatballs, and the Gold Canyon short ribs. And, of course, a pizza.

Any other menu surprises?

We have our own proprietary red wine called No Offense, and we carry specialty spirits that are used in cocktails and also available for purchase. There are also regular cocktail and spirit dinners at both locations.

Pitch Pizzeria, two Scottsdale locations; www. pitchpizzeria.com.