For Rob Cervoni, pizza has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. As the 2022 winner of Pizza Today magazine’s “Rising Stars of Pizza” and the champion of Chopped in 2023, it’s clear that Rob was destined for pizza greatness.
Episode 4 of the Pizza Story explores Rob’s humble beginnings and how he got to where he is today. Let’s dive in!
Humble Beginnings at the Local Pizzeria
At age 14, Rob took his first job as a busboy at the local pizzeria where his father had also worked as a kid.
“I loved the camaraderie with the staff, cooking up stuff, and being a part of a team,” Rob said. He describes how he learned to make salads, work the counter, socialize, and interact with people.
After catching the pizza bug as a kid, Rob opened a fro-yo shop on Long Island after college. While it wasn’t the passion project he was looking for, it still earned a solid income stream. Not long after, Rob was fortunate enough to train under Massimiliano Saviea, the renowned Roman-style pizza pioneer. It was during this part of his life that Rob realized what his next business move would be, and not long after, he opened the first Roman-style pizzeria on Long Island, called Taglio.
Roman-Style Pizza: Perfecting the Name & Reputation of Quality
When asked what makes his pizzeria and product different, Rob laughs. “What I’m going for is not decent. I want to use the best possible products… It’s the care and process that goes into it, it’s not just about the products.”
“It’s the care that goes into every single ingredient and topping that we use [at Taglio]. Everything down to the artichoke to the roasted red pepper; everything’s marinated, everything is tasted. I want everything to be perfect.”
Taglio has certainly achieved perfection in every sense of the word. Pizza lovers from all over the East Coast flock to Taglio for a delectable slice of Roman-style pizza. Plus, the crispy outside and soft inside of the pizza make it easy to eat and even easier to order a second (or third!) slice.
Using Social Media to Promote Taglio: Challenges, Trolls, & Not Taking Himself Too Seriously
Of course, many business owners deal with online trolls as they promote their brands and products on social media. “People don’t realize what it takes to run a small business. Social media is our platform to promote our business. To get on the mic and talk to our followers; it takes a lot of courage and you have to be confident,” Rob explained.
Though Rob’s “spatula mike” has become an online trend in his online community, he’s no stranger to the critics, and he doesn’t hesitate to hit back.
“I’ve been called the 50 Cent of pizza,” he laughs, describing how he doesn’t sit back and let trolls spread hate on Taglio’s Instagram page. “If you’re going to comment something negative, I’m going to call you out for it.”
Taglio boasts over 30k Instagram followers that tune in for Rob’s hilarious behind-the-scenes videos, with the now-famous spatula microphone. Ultimately, Rob strives to have fun and connect with his followers — never taking life (or pizza) too seriously.
Find Taglio Online and Grab a Slice
If you’re on Long Island, be sure to stop in at Taglio for a slice and to meet the pizza legend in person. Also, learn more about the pizza legend at TaglioRomanPizza.com and follow their Instagram for fun videos, behind-the-scenes information, and more.
Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe to the Pizza Story Podcast and get notified when a new episode goes live.
