What happens when you mix a deep reverence for Oaxacan culinary roots with the absolute, universal crowd-pleaser that is wood-fired pizza?
You get Woodstock Farina, a roaming Ventura County powerhouse that was recently crowned 2025’s Best Caterer.
On the latest episode of the podcast, host Erica D’Arcangelo sat down with Victor, the craft and heart behind the mobile pizzeria. In a beautifully candid conversation, Victor shared how he transformed a side hobby into his life’s work, the secret behind his family’s award-winning chicken mole pizza, and why he’s choosing the freedom of the open road over a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant.
The Unused Ovens of Malibu
Victor’s journey into the pizza world didn’t start in an elite Italian apprenticeship. It started in the deli department of a grocery store in Malibu, California. Tasked with designing the deli concept, Victor found himself staring at a massive wood-fired oven. He developed the dough, crafted the sauce, and fired up the logs. Soon, the pizzas were flying out faster than the paninis.
“People started noticing… they would come up and say, ‘Hey, could you do this at someone’s house?'” — Victor, Woodstock Farina
Victor started taking side gigs, showing up to high-end Malibu homes only to discover a recurring theme: gorgeous, expensive stone pizza ovens that had been sitting entirely unused for a decade, purely as decoration. He lit those fires for the first time, cooking for backyard poker nights and birthday parties. Through the ultimate power of grocery store networking, including a fortuitous connection helping Ingo, Wolfgang Puck’s legendary first sous chef, Victor built a dedicated following.
Merging Heritage with the Mobile Crust
For Victor, the wood-fired element isn’t a trendy marketing gimmick; it’s a direct link to his childhood in Oaxaca, Mexico, before his family immigrated to California when he was two years old. Oaxacan cuisine relies heavily on the smoke, ash, and residual heat of an open fire. By blending those traditional flavor profiles with classic pizza-making techniques, Woodstock Farina has created a menu that completely stands out in a crowded California market.
Take the High Life pizza, which is a local nod to “The Nard” (Oxnard). It features pepperoni, Italian sausage, grilled sweet onions, and fresh basil. Then there is the Maestro, a white pizza loaded with mushrooms and roasted confit garlic, finished with a drizzle of house-made garlic oil. Victor also loves pushing the boundaries of innovation. He creates pies that range from an Al Pastor taco configuration to a legendary Chicken Mole pizza. The mole pizza is based directly on his grandmother’s scratch recipe and took a massive second place at the Casa Pacifica competition in Camarillo.
“To me, food is like my inner soul on a plate. Pizza is a universal language that will connect anyone. You don’t even have to speak—pizza will bring you together.”
The Mystery Shopper and the Case for Freedom
A defining moment for Woodstock Farina happened when a quiet customer ordered a standard pizza at a local brewery pop-up. Victor treated her with the same warmth and care he gives everyone, as he handed over the box. A few minutes later, she returned to ask, “Which one of you is Victor?”
It turned out she was a bride-to-be mystery shopping pizzerias for her wedding catering, and she dropped a deposit right on the spot.
It’s that relentless focus on quality over volume that defines Victor’s approach. He admits he still gets incredibly nervous talking on camera. He prefers to let his food do the talking – but his commitment to the guest experience is flawless. If a dough stretch isn’t perfect, it simply doesn’t leave his sight.
When asked why he hasn’t cashed in on his massive catering success to open a permanent brick-and-mortar storefront, Victor didn’t hesitate. He loves the freedom. He loves hooking the trailer to the truck, driving down the 101 freeway, and getting honked at by fans who recognize the brand. For now, the future of Woodstock Farina isn’t a static restaurant. It’s about expanding the mobile experience, hitting major stages like the LA Pizza City Festival, and keeping the community rolling, one perfect crust at a time.
Follow the Journey
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