David Smith

PizzaTV Profile

David Smith’s Winning Recipe for Cajun Chicken Pizza

Dave and Marlene Smith became the proud owners of Pizza Palace Plus in August of 2001 when they acquired the Palace from the previous owners, Denny and Jeanne Miglicio. Dave and Marlene spent six months training with the Miglicios before taking over the business and deciding to keep the previous owner’s tradition of hand-tossing the dough.

The Palace is definitely a family affair, with Dave promoting the restaurant and handling all the business paperwork while Marlene keeps things running and works in the kitchen. Their two oldest (of six) children, Alex and Caleb, work as a server/cashier and dough man.

While looking for a way to promote the restaurant, Dave stumbled across pizza competitions. “I’ll never forget my first pizza competition; I was both excited and nervous. It was a dough tossing competition and the only thing I had to take was myself,” says Dave. “During the 3½ hour drive to Pittsburgh, I tried to warn my dad not to expect a lot. It was my first one, and I would be happy beating my personal records set at home. I ended up taking first and third place in the fastest and largest dough, respectively. I was hooked.”

Dave now participates in competitions all over the Eastern United States, most recently winning the culinary completion at PMQ’s Orlando Pizza Show, being named the Best Pizza Maker in America. He practices daily for weeks before competing and says that he always learns something new during every competition.

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