Today we’d like to introduce you to Giuseppe Mesiano.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born in Calabria, Italy, I grew up cooking side-by-side with my mother in our home kitchen, learning to stretch dough and craft pasta. Our family had a vegetable garden, chickens, pigs, and grew our own tomatoes to can our own sauce every August for the entire year. Along with other preserved food items, we always were fortunate to have a robust and traditional pantry to cook a variety of dishes filled with local flavor and love. Those early lessons became the foundation for a 20-year career in Milan – the fashion and finance capital of Italy – serving discerning guests in the city’s high-end restaurants and premium hospitality venues.
In 2008, fate brought me to Michigan, where I was given the opportunity to hone my wood fired pizza craft under the mentorship of Chef Luciano Del Signore when I was tapped to be a part of the inaugural kitchen team for the all-new Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina in Southfield, MI. From day one, I was at the heart of the open kitchen – tossing dough, interacting with guests, and managing the wood fired ovens that would fuel the restaurant’s instant popularity…
Now, with THAT GUY FROM ITALY Artisanal Pizza & Gelato, I take my pizza artistry and unique artisan gelato cart on the road. In a custom-built mobile wood burning oven, I bring the flavor and theater of authentic Italian pizza to all kinds of celebrations and events across Southeast Michigan – weddings, graduation parties, birthdays and corporate events – where guests are invited to watch as their pizza comes to life, from the first stretch to the final bubble on the crust. I just added small batch, authentic gelato to our menu which is a perfect pairing to my wood fired pizza and adds a touch of luxury to events. I’m proud that through my hard work with THAT GUY FROM ITALY Artisanal Pizza & Gelato, my business has distinguished itself as the most authentic traveling wood fired pizza and gelato experience in all of Metro Detroit.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The experience of launching my business has been incredibly rewarding, and it hasn’t all been without its challenges. As someone who speaks English as a second language, there have been funny moments with communication – though more often than not, they’ve led to laughter and connection, adding to the authentic Italian experience I bring to every event. The support from our community and clients has been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful for the trust they place in us. It’s an honor to be invited into some of life’s most cherished celebrations, knowing that the experience we provide becomes part of those memories is truly humbling. We remain in touch with many of our clients, which over the years, have become our friends.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Simply put, I am an artisan craftsman, dough is my canvas, and food is my love language.
At THAT GUY FROM ITALY Artisanal Pizza & Gelato, we create immersive Italian culinary experiences centered around authentic, handcrafted, wood fired pizza and artisanal gelato. Our specialty is bringing the artistry of an authentic Italian pizzeria to private events – whether it’s a wedding, milestone birthday, corporate celebration, or backyard gathering. Guests watch as I stretch, top, and fire each pizza in our custom-built mobile oven, just as I learned in my childhood home in Calabria and perfected during two decades in Milan’s premium hospitality scene. Our unique gelato cart churns authentic Italian gelato on-site and we offer a variety of traditional Italian flavors like hazelnut, fior di latte, and pistachio.
We’re known not just for our food – which features thin, crispy crusts, fresh seasonal ingredients, and bold flavors – but for the atmosphere we create. The smell of oak wood burning, the energy of the open kitchen, and the old-world charm of an Italian chef tossing dough all combine to make unforgettable memories at every event.
In 2025, we added artisanal gelato to our lineup of offerings. We tested numerous different gelatos and recipes over the past several years, and we are so happy to share we have a first-of-its-kind gelato machine in Michigan that churns this creamy Italian delight on-site at events. We partnered with a boutique dairy farm in the Italian Alps to offer this small batch gelato in a handful of flavors to add a touch of luxury to our events.
Overall, I’m most proud of the joy and connection our food inspires. In Italian culture, meals are about bringing people together, and our work lets us be part of some of life’s most treasured moments. What sets us apart is simple: authentic Italian heritage, classical training, and an unwavering commitment to giving every guest an experience that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to our success is authenticity – both in the food we create and the way we connect with people. Every pizza we serve is crafted with Italian tradition, using techniques that I carried through my years in Milan’s eclectic fine dining scene. We combine that culinary heritage with warm, genuine, Italian hospitality, making every guest feel like they’re part of our extended family. In the end, people don’t just remember the artisanal pizza and gelato – they remember the warmth, the care, and the feeling that they’ve experienced something truly special.
Thank you for this opportunity,
Chef Pino
Pricing:
- Every experience is unique and we provide custom quotes based on menu selections and number of guests.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thatguyfromitaly.com
- Instagram: @
okatywilsonphotography - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitalianfoodexperience
