From the Cutthroat Kitchens of Rome to the Idyllic Streets of Portsmouth: A BTS Look at Mamma Luca’s (Unlikely) Beginnings

<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thepieguy9613/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Mario LaPosta</a> had a dream (literally).</p><p>Following a nightmare about a kitchen incident, paired with his deep Italian roots and love of family meals at a long dinner table, LaPosta knew a future in the kitchen awaited him. </p><p>Eventually, the Connecticut native moved to Italy so he could learn the ins and outs of the Neapolitan pizza-making process. Then, after returning to the States, he started running the pizza programs at a chain of restaurants outside of New York City, and then later, in Boston.</p><p>On today&#39;s episode, Mario LaPosta of <a href="https://mammaluca.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Mamma Luca</a> joins <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">host Troy Farkas</a> to discuss his long, winding road to Mamma Luca - from the real deal kitchens of Rome to the cobblestone streets of Portsmouth. Additionally, the guys talk about what NOT to do when opening a restaurant, why the restaurant business is notoriously difficult to survive in, the compromise you have to make when opening an authentic Italian restaurant in America, and more.</p><p>To check out Mamma Luca, pay them a visit at 111 State St. in downtown Portsmouth.</p><p>SUPPORT SEACOAST STORIES:</p><ul><li>Follow Seacoast Stories on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seacoast-stories/id1750552627" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> or on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3zg7za9HHoJeuQN3JVTJHN?si=93f6aabdddf442a4" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> to get our new episodes every week.</li><li>Join our FREE online community, <a href="https://seacoaststories.com/community?from=community-nav" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">The Local Thread</a>, here.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>UPCOMING EVENTS:</p><ul><li>Seacoast Stories Dinner Club: We&#39;re in Newburyport, Mass., on Wednesday, September 2. <a href="https://seacoaststories.dnnr.io/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li>Seacoast Stories Dinner Club pres. by <a href="https://www.partners.bank/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24102580923&gbraid=0AAAABCZKy9gyZQE2Pn51LGkVoWHHvNWnq&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7eXTBhDBARIsAKF-w46AwR7R2Gk2VbuW_dmGAgEz0qkhAKWePNAYoAiFR8F6O8paykCKQD8aAtB5EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Partners Bank⁠⁠⁠</a>: We return to Kittery, Maine, on Wednesday, September 16! <a href="https://seacoaststories.dnnr.io/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book your seat at the table here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://degreewellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Degree Wellness Seacoast⁠⁠⁠</a>: A new all-on-one recovery center is coming to North Hampton, N.H! Learn more &amp; lock in a discounted (FOR LIFE) founding membership <a href="https://degreewellness.com/locations/seacoast-nh/founding-membership/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gbp&utm_campaign=seacoast-nh_gbp" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><a href="https://www.budgetblinds.com/the-seacoast-nh/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Budget Blinds of the Seacoast⁠</a>: Custom blinds, shades, and shutters! Reasonably priced and done right the first time.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>Introducing <a href="https://seacoaststories.com/community?from=community-nav" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">The Local Thread</a> (00:00)</li><li>Compromises in opening Mamma Luca (04:22)</li><li>Why he wanted to become a chef (06:02)</li><li>Moving to Italy to learn the art of pizza-making (10:30)</li><li>What we misunderstand about making pizza (17:02)</li><li>Working at Italian restaurants outside of NYC (18:20)</li><li>