Pizza in Its Purest Form: The Story of Lucali | Food Skills

Prior to opening Lucali in 2006, Mark Iacono had never dreamt of being a cook. Today, he operates one of the best pizzerias not only in New York City, but the entire world. In a rare, intimate glimpse at Iacono's life, this Food Skills mini-doc charts the chef's unlikely rise from Brooklyn construction worker to internationally renowned pizzaiolo. While walking the streets of his native Carroll Gardens, Iacono reminisces about a rapidly changing neighborhood, and unlocks the keys to his world-famous margherita pie. From studying at the altar of Di Fara’s Dom DeMarco, to serving A-list celebrities like Jay Z and Beyoncé, the story of Lucali is made of pizza lore and legend.

Director: Tanai Milgram
Producers: Jackson Connor, Tanai Milgram, Lawrence Weibman
Executive Producer: Chris Schonberger
Director of Photography: Dustin Flannery-McCoy
Production Coordinator: Victoria Astudillo
Editor: Dustin Flannery-McCoy
Camera Operator: James Ogle
Sound: Michael Moote
Production Assistant: Tian Wang

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First We Feast videos offer an iconoclastic view into the culinary world, taking you behind-the-scenes with some of the country's best chefs and finding the unexpected places where food and pop culture intersect.

[RayMak]

I love how nice and kind he is. Promoting all his friends' shops.

[joshchan]

Just went to Lucali last night from dinner. Took a NY trip from California and this was my last meal before heading home and I have to say the food and experience was fantastic. I noticed Mark in the restaurant so before I left, i approached him and told him how awesome the pizza was, shook his hand, had small talk, etc. Very nice and humble guy. He even asked me about the current situation with the fires going on in California. Definitely recommend this place!

[nkenchington]

I just opened a Thai food takeaway business, and every time I get nervous, I think about this video. Cheers, Mark.

[artangelist]

A man with no idea of what he wanted to do with his life, ended up loving what he does. Truly rare in this time and age. Kudos to you brother. God bless as well.

[Marmsfury]

"you only make pizza and calzones?" "That's all I know how to make!" Honestly I wish there were more restaurants that did one or two things really well rather than a lot of mediocre things

[midhundev]

He's so calm and contented. Loves his neighborhood and making pizza. What a simple yet wholesome life. This video made me really happy.

[artemiswoodfin]

"now it's a dunkin donuts" 
Sad. I felt that.

[JVCOOL]

Everything about this man and this restaurant and this video puts me at ease.

[ElijahRuelas]

This guy is the kind of person you want to have as a friend in life.

A humble guy who loves to cook pizza in the neighborhood he loves for the people he loves.

[ncooty]

Guys like this make neighborhoods worth living in.

[bryanwadleighofficial]

Man I loved that interaction with him and that guy at the breadstore. "Its on me, alright well give it to the girls then" I dont know why, that was just dope as hell to me lol

[carolinapires]

i was at lucali’s last week and it is definitely worth all the hype. the food is FANTASTIC, the atmosphere inside and out is great and the prices are terrific. we got lucky enough to chat with mark for a couple of minutes before we left, what a awesome human being

[Naoki]

The genuine love he portrays towards his community and his craft is too wholesome. I'd love to work under this guy in the kitchen. I think it's safe to assume he's a very strict boss with standards, but comes from a good intentions which I can respect.

[jshshh]

There was something really sad about how he said "and now it's a dunkin donuts". Just a lost way of life that will probably never come back. To see your childhood neighborhood become commercialized has to sting

[seanl]

Did he just use a bottle of wine to roll his pizza?!? I love that man

[dkellybeats]

I don’t comment on social media at all, however I’ll make an exception with this, I went to New York around 2 years ago and from watching the pizza show I knew about Lucalis. I was staying in Brooklyn so decided to visit the place.
One of the best pizzas I have ever had and the place is amazing, but Mark really made it, me and a friend were leaving and we both recognized him, he told us to sit down crack open a beer and sat down with us having a chat for about 2 hours, very genuine fella, and I would recommend anyone to go there ✌️Sláinte

[dylaniscol]

oh man, when he said that he looks at the picture of his grandma when he gets stressed and nervous.. thats awesome. this is a must go to.

[nikhilshaikes]

"that's where i smoked my first cigarette" "that's where i kissed my first girl" damn mark calm it with the wholesome will ya

[nutmegforevertributechanne]

Mark has a great calming voice.He should be a smooth jazz or easy listening radio host.

[SpazKoopa]

His smile just spews out "passion and love".


Keep it up!