Fr. Peter's Pizza: Building community, one pizza at a time

If you've caught the smell of fresh pizza drifting through Parsons Hall, chances are Fr. Peter is nearby, covered in flour and serving up slices with a smile.

Long before he was making pizzas for Saint Martin's students, Fr. Peter learned the craft while working at DaVinci's Pizzeria as an undergraduate. Back then, tossing pizza dough high into the air wasn't just for fun — it was expected whenever customers were watching.

His campus pizza tradition began around 2016 after another student favorite, Papa Pete 'n Popcorn, came to an end. Looking for a new way to bring students together in community, he had a simple thought: why not pizza?

There was a learning curve. A few crusts burned, one pizza famously flipped in the oven and plenty more trial and error eventually led to homemade dough and a campus tradition.

Today, students eagerly await his signature grilled cheese pizza. Made with cheddar cheese and diced ham, it was created by accident after he ran out of mozzarella and other toppings. The unexpected combination quickly became a student favorite.

During a busy pizza night, Fr. Peter can make as many as 28 pizzas in just two hours. It's a fast-paced operation with student helpers, clouds of flour and enough heat to require a shower afterward. But for Fr. Peter, the best part isn't the pizza — it's watching students gather around the table, share a meal and build friendships. It's a simple tradition that reflects the Benedictine value of community at Saint Martin's.

One of his favorite compliments came from exchange students who told him it was the best pizza they'd eaten in the United States. And if he ever opened his own restaurant? It would be called Square Crown Pizza, serving Detroit-style deep-dish pies known for their square shape and deliciously charred cheese crust.

Until then, Fr. Peter will keep bringing students together, one slice at a time.