After falling in love with pizza at a Buffalo Bills tailgate, Powers began working the counter at Jay’s Artisan Pizza as a college student. His passion quickly grew, leading him to train in Naples, Italy, at the prestigious Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN).

In 2020, at only 21, Powers bought the pizzeria from founder Jay Langfelder. Under his leadership, Jay’s Artisan Pizza has earned a spot among the best in the U.S. and the world. The pizza features spicy Calabrian ’nduja, fontal cheese, red onion, chili honey, and basil, highlighting Powers’ bold flavor combinations and refined technique.

Despite the accolades, Powers remains humble and focused on quality and consistency: “You’re only as good as what you put out on a daily basis.” With a commitment to craft, authenticity, and creativity, Joe Powers is helping redefine American Neapolitan pizza—one slice at a time.