LAS VEGAS — Pi00a, a family and Deaf CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) owned company that produces Neapolitan Asian-inspired frozen pizzas, was crowned champion of the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) Fancy Face-Off Pitch Competition at the 49th Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. The company showcased its frozen miso eggplant pizza against four finalists and won $10,000 among other prizes.
Forca Foods, a company that makes watermelon seed milk under the brand Milkish founded by Guilherme Maia Silva, won fan favorite at the pitch slam.
“Congratulations to Melody Stein on her grand prize win — well deserved,” said Bill Lynch, president of the SFA. “All the Fancy Face-Off finalists were incredible. Each shared the kinds of inspired stories, products, and visions for the future that make the specialty food industry so dynamic, reminding us why our industry is where food innovation and trends begin. Thank you to all the SFA members who applied, to our judges, the finalists, and to Melody for an unforgettable pitch at the Winter Fancy Food Show.”
Finalists pitched their products to judges who sampled them and assed them based on innovation, ingredient quality, market potential, pitch and taste.
Pi00a was founded in 2023 by Melody and Russ Stein. The couple first opened their first Neapolitan pizzeria in San Francisco in 2011.
The company said it works with those in the Deaf community who struggle to find work because of their disability.
In 2014, the company purchased its first food truck for its first food truck tour across the United States. In 2016, the company purchased a new food truck for its second food truck tour.
The company later sold its restaurant to a Deaf non-profit organization in 2017.
In August 2023, the company launched its pi00a brand to produce Neapolitan Asian-inspired frozen pizzas. Pi00a makes frozen pizza flavors including margherita, quattro formaggi and frozen miso eggplant.
“Winning the Fancy Face-Off Pitch has provided us with valuable recognition, and we hope this momentum will inspire retailers to bring our innovative products to their shelves,” said Melody Stein, founder of pi00a. “At pi00a, we are committed to creating opportunities for the Deaf community, demonstrating that Deaf individuals deserve equal access to employment and the chance to showcase their skills and dedication. Our mission goes beyond great pizza — we strive to create an inclusive space where everyone’s abilities can shine.”Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.
