267. Rising Star With Grand Expansion Plans Artwork

The Hot Slice

The Hot Slice brings you inspiring stories, strategies and lessons learned from successful pizzeria professionals and top experts. This podcast is hosted by the team at Pizza Today, the premier network for pizzeria professionals. We’re bringing our award-winning interviewing and 37 years as a trusted pizza restaurant partner to the airwaves with real, in-depth conversations with pizzeria owners, champion pizza makers, industry pros and others to help make your business better.

All Episodes

The Hot Slice

267. Rising Star With Grand Expansion Plans

July 17, 2025 • Episode 267

Send us a text

Listen to Melina Piroso Felix, owner-operator of The Pizza Bandit in Denver on The Hot Slice Podcast with Pizza Today

Melina Piroso Felix had an established career in marketing and branding when the pandemic prompted her to rethink her goals in 2020. Prior to that point, she had graduated from being the night manager at her uncle’s restaurant in Miami’s South Beach district to undertake a successful career in graphic design. But Piroso Felix never left pizza entirely behind. She often made pizza for dinner guests, potlucks and to scratch an itch while designing restaurant menus.

Years into the pandemic experiment that became The Pizza Bandit food truck, Pirosso Felix found a home at a multiple-concept food hall in a bustling, youthful Denver neighborhood. Surrounded by a Thai concept on one side and healthful bowls on the other, The Pizza Bandit is known for its scratch-made sauces and high-quality ingredients.

Since moving into the spot this spring, Piroso Felix has added sandwiches and ice cream floats to the menu, but she emphasizes that her vision is far from complete.

Show Notes:

Melina Piroso Felix is one of Pizza Today magazine’s 2025 Rising Stars. Learn more about her and the other five pizzaiolos selected for this honor in the July issue of Pizza Today.

Registration is now open for Pizza Expo Columbus in October. Competitors: Be sure to register early to reserve your spot in the Great American Pizza Challenge. More details at: https://pizzatoday.com/topics/industry-news/pizza-expo-columbus-registration-is-now-open/

If you have an interest in being a judge at the Great American Pizza Challenge, complete a Great American Pizza Challenge (GAPC) Volunteer Judging Application 2025.