Jim Mumford on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Jim Mumford and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jim, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m really learning from other pizza artisans. There’s such a wide spectrum of voices in the pizza world; whether it’s someone running a decades-old coal oven in New Haven, a Detroit pan shop cranking out caramelized-edge squares, or the new wave of pop-ups experimenting with fermentation and local grains. Every time I talk with or watch these makers, I pick up something; how they handle dough, how they tell their story, or even how they keep traditions alive while still pushing boundaries. It keeps me humble and constantly inspired.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jim Mumford, a regional pizza historian and the author of PizzaPedia. By day I am an engineer, but by night I’ve built a brand around exploring pizza culture, through my site JimCooksFoodGood.com, my book, and my writing for national outlets. What makes my work unique is that I treat pizza not just as food, but as a lens into history, community, and creativity. From newly created Kalamazoo-style pies to coal-fired classics, I’m always looking to document and celebrate the stories behind the slice. Right now, I’m focused on growing awareness of PizzaPedia and sharing the incredible diversity of regional pizzas across the country with as many people as possible.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve learned the most about work from the mentors and colleagues who modeled what real leadership looks like, people who showed me that success isn’t just about technical skill, but about consistency, accountability, and how you treat others. In my engineering career, I’ve had managers who trusted me with big responsibilities early on, which taught me to own my decisions and think strategically. In the pizza world, I’ve learned just as much from the artisans who put in long hours perfecting dough and sauce, it’s a reminder that passion and discipline go hand in hand.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience and perspective in a way success never could. When things fall apart, whether it’s a project at work, a recipe that flops, or even a personal setback, you’re forced to slow down, listen, and really understand what matters. Success can be loud and fast; suffering is quiet and humbling. It taught me resilience, empathy, and that progress often comes from failure, not from getting everything right the first time.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say what really matters to me is connection, whether that’s through food, family, or the work I do. I care deeply about bringing people together, whether it’s around a pizza oven, on the golf course, or at a dinner table. They’d also tell you I’m driven, but not in a way that’s only about titles or numbers, I want my work and my passions to mean something, to make people feel a sense of joy, comfort, or community.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m cooking, especially making pizza. There’s something grounding about the rhythm of stretching dough, the smell of the oven, and then sharing that with people I care about. It’s the same feeling I get on a long walk or dinner with my family; being fully present, not worrying about what’s next, just enjoying the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jimcooksfoodgood.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jimcooksfoodgood