Stay Tranquilo Podcast

Episode: The Genius Behind Miami's Mister 01 Pizza: Chef Renato Viola’s Untold Story

Date: November 19, 2025

Host: Stay Tranquilo Network
Guest: Chef Renato Viola, founder of Mr. 01 Pizza

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the extraordinary journey of Chef Renato Viola, the mastermind behind Miami’s beloved Mister 01 Pizza. Listeners are invited into Renato's world: from his childhood in Southern Italy, learning the art of pizza in his family kitchen, to establishing one of Miami’s most reputable and rapidly growing pizzerias. The conversation offers invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, persistence, adapting to new cultures, and the importance of maintaining authenticity while serving community needs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Renato’s Italian Roots and Culinary Beginnings (01:01 – 05:35)

• Renato shares his upbringing in a small city near the Amalfi coast, painting a traditional Italian family scene centered around the kitchen, not the living room.
  • “You have to understand that in South Italy, most of the family, you spend all the time in the kitchen... And Sunday, this is a special day. My mother always wake up early in the morning, 3, 4am to do the ragu, the lasagna special plate for Sunday.” (01:36)
• First exposure to pizza-making was with his mom at age 4, leading to a youthful obsession that set his path.
• By 11, Renato was learning in local pizzerias, initially unpaid, absorbing skills from master pizzaiolos.

Pursuing Mastery & Innovation in Pizza (05:45 – 07:33)

• Early realization that the craft required deeper knowledge, not just tradition for tradition’s sake.
  • “A lawyer has to study to become a lawyer. A doctor...but a pizza maker has not to study to become a pizza maker. So I start to study, I start to go in different pizza school until I become a teacher.” (04:45)
• Renato's curiosity and drive led him to become a teacher and travel internationally with Italy’s national acrobatic pizza team.

Immigration and the O-1 Visa Story (07:41 – 08:10)

• Renato immigrated to Miami at age 30, leveraging his renown and skills to obtain the highly selective O-1 “extraordinary ability” visa – a rare feat for a pizza chef.
  • “The O1 visa is... for extraordinary ability...and no one apply in the pizza business...But he believed in me based on my curriculum.” (05:45)
• His story highlights the recognition of culinary arts as a high-level talent.

Founding Mr. 01 and Overcoming Adversity (08:09 – 15:09)

• Mr. 01 began in a humble, nine-table office building, behind Lincoln Road, with no signage.
  • “People say, why if somebody has to come in this office building, you don't have window... I believe that if you spend time with researching quality product and offer an extraordinary service, people don’t care [where] they're going to eat.” (08:10)
• Facing skepticism, success came through relentless dedication, product quality, exceptional service, and transparent partnership.
• Renato stresses making experience before starting your own business: “...how you can learn, how you can improve, how you can... make maybe mistake for somebody else, cost you less that you do for you if you don’t work for somebody.” (10:12)

Expansion and Community Focus (15:10 – 19:08)

• After early success, Mr. 01 expanded, always evaluating how they could best serve new communities in Miami and beyond.
  • “Wherever community believe that we can fit in their community, we evaluate and we’re gonna go. Because it’s very important to be part of the community.” (17:23–18:04)
• Now in Texas, Atlanta, Florida, and soon Charlotte, NC. (First time publicly sharing the Charlotte expansion: 19:08)

Maintaining Product Uniqueness and Adaptability (21:07 – 25:32)

• On menu innovation, combining Italian imports (flour, prosciutto, olive oil) with select local products for top quality.
• Star-shaped, stuffed crust pizzas represent the chef’s willingness to adapt while maintaining standards.
  • “When I create a pizza...anything I use it, I eat and I give to my family, to my kids...I always try to partner with local company here in other states. So we have a combination...” (21:29)
• Openness to customer feedback: even purist Italian traditions adjust if Miami customers ask for pineapple pizza.
  • “I always try to make [guests] happy, understand from where they're coming, from where we are, and adapt.” (24:22)
• Education as part of the guest experience, explaining nuances of products like 20-month prosciutto.

Consistency, Culture, and Mindset (26:36 – 27:53)

• Renato attributes Mr. 01’s reputation and growth to unwavering consistency and respect within the team.
  • “I’m very proud of the reputation that we create.” (26:36)
• Prefers measured, community-driven expansion over rapid scale.
  • “My goal is always to open in each community that one Mr. One and be successful...” (27:35)

Practicing Presence and Leadership by Example (27:53 – 29:31)

• Staying present with both team and guests is crucial; Chef Renato maintains direct contact in all locations, from dishwasher to operator.
  • “When you grow, then you’re gonna have different departments...I try to be with everybody...they have to feel that I’m there.” (28:13)
• Views hospitality as more than food—it's about the entire experience and human connection.

Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs (30:37 – 32:03)

• Renato emphasizes real-world experience over rushing to open one’s own business.
  • “My only small advice I can give today is make experience before you [start your own business].” (31:38)
• Mistakes are natural, but working for others first can help minimize costly ones in your future endeavors.
• Reframes “problems” as “situations” or “challenges” for positive mindset: “In our company, we have situation...we have challenge, but problem, believe me, in the life, there are so many.” (32:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I was so lucky that with a pizza I traveled the world without spend money.” — Renato (05:10)
• “For us, we are obsessed with the guests. We try always in our best to make our guests happy.” — Renato (23:20)
• “For me, consistent is the most important thing.” — Renato (14:14)
• “Before we put the pizza in front of you, we already have four day of work...for your first bite and see your eyes...” — Renato (29:31)
• “I’m not the type of guy, I like to live in the present. I try to live in the present, you know, because it's the most important.” — Renato (27:35)
• “Make first experience before you work for yourself, you know, because when you work for yourself, then you have to work, of course, harder and harder.” — Renato (30:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Renato’s upbringing, family, and early pizza days| | 04:45 | Breaking tradition: Studying pizza as a science | | 05:45 | O-1 Visa journey and move to Miami | | 08:09 | Founding Mr. 01 and early challenges | | 14:13 | The importance of consistency | | 15:39 | Day-to-day at the start, growth to second location| | 18:44 | Expansion beyond Miami | | 19:08 | Announcement: soon opening in Charlotte, NC | | 21:29 | Mr. 01’s unique pizza philosophy | | 24:22 | Adapting to Miami guests’ tastes | | 26:36 | Renato’s pride in reputation | | 27:35 | Expansion philosophy: present, not pressured | | 28:13 | Leadership approach: accessible to all employees | | 30:37 | Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs | | 32:03 | Reframing problems as challenges |

Tone & Style

Chef Renato’s warmth, humility, and passion for both his craft and his team shine through every anecdote and insight. The episode radiates encouragement and a grounded approach to success, blending the classic “work hard, dream big” ethos with a real appreciation for learning, service, and adapting to community needs.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Experience matters: Learn deeply before venturing out on your own.
• Consistency and adaptability are key: Quality, service, and willingness to change set Mr. 01 apart.
• Community over scale: Success is measured by local reputation and presence, not just number of locations.
• Presence in leadership: Be accessible, grateful, and never forget your roots.
• Reframe “problems” as challenges: Mindset influences how adversity is handled.

For fans of small business stories, pizza, or Miami’s evolving food scene, this episode is equal parts inspiring and practical, evoking both wanderlust and a craving for a Starry Lisa.