Juan Perez has built a global reputation for his mastery of Neapolitan pizza.

Originally from Colombia, Perez rose from a teenage line cook to executive chef of Posto in Boston, where his work has earned recognition on the prestigious 50 Top Pizza list and a place among the world’s top 100 pizza chefs. In this episode, Perez shares his journey, why mentorship and systems are central to his leadership, and how he’s using both social media and nonprofit work to shape the next generation of pizza makers.

Takeaways

• Quality and consistency are the best promotion
• Simple, written systems protect standards
• Long, controlled fermentation drives flavor and repeatability
• Mentorship means teaching the process and being available
• Ownership mindset matters, even when you are not the owner
• Social media works when it’s authentic, consistent, and skill-forward
• Local creators can move the needle more than viral global views
• Education and community expand opportunity

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