Pizza is a science. But it’s also an art form. This week on FoodCrush, we’re talking with two experts on the topic: Ann Brock and James Durawa, the owners of Wy’East Pizza, a neighborhood pizzeria that's been serving the Martin Drive and Washington Heights Neighborhoods since it opened in 2016.
Even if you've eaten their pizza, you might not know the fascinating stories that accompany the restaurant and its owners. But all of that changes today. Follow along as Brock and Durawa share their journey to pizza, from their serendipitous meeting in Milwaukee to their move to Portland, Oregon where they established the Wy’East brand as a pizza trailer. Along the way, we geek out with Durawa about the science behind his dough, glean insights about what makes their restaurant so unique and (ultimately) get inside look at some of the reasons why Wy’East has become one of the West Side’s most beloved pizza joints.
Listen in!
Find us and love us
The FoodCrush podcast is available via a variety of platforms from iTunes and Google Play to Spotify, Stitcher and more. Search for us on your favorite podcast platform, subscribe for notifications about each new episode, and – better yet – help us out by sharing the love by writing a review on iTunes.
Got an idea for a topic we should consider for FoodCrush? Want to offer feedback on our latest episode? Email me at lori@staff.onmilwaukee.com. You can also give @FoodCrushPod a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for information on future episodes, special features, live tastings and more.
Curious about more FoodCrush content? Check out some of our FoodCrush Live features (including our recent McDonald's McRib Tasting).
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
