Michael Pitera is the owner and operator of Pizza A Modo Mio in Charleston, South Carolina, and a proud member of the U.S. Pizza Team.

His journey in pizza began at just 15 years old, working in New York kitchens where he developed a deep respect for traditional techniques, dough craftsmanship, and the culture surrounding the New York slice.

In 2019, Mike  took a leap of faith, launching Pizza A Modo Mio from a converted hot dog truck. Through relentless hard work, community support, and an unwavering commitment to quality, that small operation has grown into multiple brick-and-mortar locations, a mobile pizza fleet, and a brand recognized on the national competition stage.

Mike blends old-school New York methods with modern execution, competing in major pizza competitions across the United States and internationally in Italy. His passion for dough science, fermentation, flour education, and multi-style execution — from New York and Sicilian to Detroit and Roman — continues to elevate both his craft and his business.

Beyond competitions and business growth, Mike is deeply community-driven. He hosts charitable events, supports local organizations, mentors young pizza makers, and believes strongly in giving back to the Charleston community that embraced his dream.

At the core of everything he does are his values: faith, family, hard work, and the belief that pizza has the power to bring people together.