Scott Vivian and Nate Middleton — Beast Pizza, An Open Door to Creativity, and Fine Dining in a Pizzeria

In this episode of Tasting Notes Toronto, I sit down with Scott Vivian and Nate Middleton, co-owners of Beast Pizza in Toronto. They discuss their journey into the culinary world, the inspiration and challenges behind running a unique pizza restaurant with a fine dining twist, and their dedication to creativity and hospitality. The conversation covers Scott and Nate's background, their approach to whole animal dinners, the transition to Beast Pizza during the pandemic, and their plans for a new location in Kitchener. Scott Vivian and Nate Middleton — Beast Pizza, An Open Door to Creativity, and Fine Dining in a Pizzeria00:00 Introduction and Creative Drive00:33 Welcome to Tasting Notes Toronto00:38 Meet Scott and Nate of Beast Pizza02:07 Scott's Journey into the Culinary World07:04 Nate's Culinary Path and Inspirations08:00 The Jamie Kennedy Influence12:44 Founding of Beast14:49 Whole Animal Dinners Concept18:33 The Horse Tartar Controversy22:00 Collaborations and Chef Collective25:34 Anthony Bourdain and Toronto's Food Scene27:36 Pandemic Pivot to Beast Pizza32:36 The Inspiration Behind the Pizza Shop Pivot33:51 Creating a Unique Dining Experience36:05 The Art of Pizza Making39:50 Innovative Pizza Toppings41:42 Empowering the Staff46:10 Crafting the Perfect Wine and Beer List58:02 Future Plans for Beast01:01:10 Conclusion and FarewellBooks Referenced:The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas KellerFlavor by Rocco DispiritoCooking With the Seasons by Jean-Louis PalladinOttolenghi Flavor: A Cookbook🙌 Enjoyed the episode?Follow, rate, and review Tasting Notes Toronto on your favorite podcast platform — it really helps others discover the show. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.Champagne: Cork Pop and Pour by ultradust -- https://freesound.org/s/166923/ -- License: Attribution 4.0