Take a Look Inside the Lewis Barbecue Pizza Party

Erin Perkins is the editor of Eater Carolinas.

Pitmaster John Lewis hosted a pizza party on Monday, July 23, at Lewis Barbecue, and it was a big hit. Lewis made a Detroit-style creation with hot gut pepperoni, general manager Ben Garbee (who previously worked at EVO Pizzeria ) made a Neapolitan version, and chef de cuisine Philip Powers cooked up fancy bagel bites. Kwei Fei chef David Schuttenberg made table-side Caesar salads, and McCrady’s pastry chef Katy Keefe set up an Italian ice and spumoni station for a sweet treat. Drinks flowed from guest bartenders Miguel Buencamino of Holy City Handcraft and Mick Matriciano of Cannoborough Beverage Co.

After the event, Lewis said “This week’s pizza party was a great success and the first time we used our new oven. We worked out some kinks in service and decided to just focus on Detroit-style pizza moving forward. Next month on August 20, we’ll host another pizza party but this time plan to take reservations and do table service. Stay tuned for more information!”

Eater photographer Leslie McKellar stopped into Lewis Barbecue to capture all the fun. Eater hears that it was some of the pizza around. Were you there? Leave your thoughts on the brisket-master’s pizza or the campy Ceasar salad maker.