How a 3 AM Sourdough Obsession Created Hamilton’s Cult-Favorite: Cherry Ghost Pizza | Ep 67

Today on the show, we are heading over to Hamilton, Ontario to chat with the mastermind behind the area's most elusive slice and cult-favorite pop-up: Ethan from Cherry Ghost Pizza 🍕.Ethan’s journey isn’t your typical culinary school story. It’s a beautifully chaotic tale that spans skateboarding and local slice shops, playing in a band, fine-dining kitchens, and a 3:00 AM epiphany involving an orange, some wild bacteria, and a homemade sourdough starter 🫙. From "gorilla cooking" out of his apartment window during the pandemic to mixing 150 doughs entirely by hand in bus bins today, Ethan’s obsession with the perfect "reheat crunch" has taken Hamilton by storm 🇨🇦.We dive deep into the beautiful madness of the small-batch hustle, how a Wilco song birthed a business, and how a third date blossomed into a family affair. (Shoutout to his wife Haleigh, the ultimate Pizza Queen 👑!) Plus, Ethan gives us a mouth-watering breakdown of his rotating menu, including the famous "Marlow’s Cheese," the fresh and zesty "White Light," and a sleeper dill pickle pizza that draws instant lines.Grab a slice, hit play, and get ready to fall down the sourdough rabbit hole with us ♥️!🎙 Episode Highlights✅ [01:10] From Skate Rat to Pizza Lover: Ethan talks about growing up in Hamilton, his grandfather's Neapolitan roots, and how $20 used to buy an extra-large pizza, a two-liter pop, and an entire day of skateboarding.✅ [03:26] The Twists, Tweezers, and Terribly Bad Dough: How a fine-dining sous chef playing with tweezers at work decided to try making pizza at home—and accidentally created the "worst batch of dough of all time."✅ [05:45] The Sourdough Rabbit Hole: Ethan admits to pirating Tartine Bread as a broke kid and explains how he eventually birthed his very first successful starter using an orange and wild bacteria.✅ [06:41] Apartment Window Hustle: Slinging Roman-style pizzas out of a James Street North apartment on cheap dollar-store sheet trays during the height of the pandemic lockdowns.✅ [11:31] The Birth of Cherry Ghost: How a name change from "Retro Pizza" and a lyric from the band Wilco sparked an Instagram account that blew up into unexpected backyard pre-orders.✅ [13:59] A True Family Affair: Ethan shares the heartwarming story of how his and Haley’s third date was a slammed pizza pop-up, proving she was the one.✅ [17:03] Inside the Menu: A delicious breakdown of Cherry Ghost's staple pies, from the meticulously crafted Marlow’s Cheese to the Frank Pinello-inspired White Light, and the hand-shredded Windsor-Style Pepperoni.✅ [22:31] What's Next & The Secret Pop-Up: Ethan reveals details about an upcoming secret pop-up in Hamilton, their growing catering side, and drops a massive hint about a future brick-and-mortar location.🔗 Connect with Cherry Ghost Pizza:Instagram: @cherryghostpizzaWebsite: https://cherry-ghost.square.site/ Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Pizza Story Podcast. See you next week!🇮🇹 About the Podcast The Pizza Story Podcast dives into the intersection of heritage, artistry, and the perfect slice. Join host Erica D'Arcangelo as she sits down with the masters and makers keeping culinary traditions alive, one pie at a time.Website: https://www.astoryaboutpizza.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@astoryaboutpizza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoryaboutpizza/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@storyaboutpizza YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AStoryAboutPizza A Story About Pizza Book: https://www.amazon.com/Story-About-Pizza-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/1917116993 Pietro’s Pizza Children’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Pizza-Story-About/dp/B0DTYZ15WB/ Pietro’s Pizza Toppings Children’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJM15W22/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Pietro’s Italian Christmas: https://www.amazon.com/Pietros-Italian-Christmas-Erica-DArcangelo/dp/B0G2GQX78W/ #pizza #ontario #canada