Flavio Giannino Biography

About Flavio Giannino — Founder of Goodslice Pizza Napoletana

My journey with pizza began in Naples at just 15 years old, where I started my gavetta — the traditional path of working from the very bottom. I delivered pizzas, washed dishes, cleaned floors, and slowly earned my place in the kitchen. In Naples, respect for the older pizzaioli was everything. They guarded their secrets closely, and learning the craft wasn’t simple.

But those challenges shaped me. Back then, being a pizza chef was rare, well-paid, and deeply respected. It was a craft that could take you anywhere in the world — and that possibility changed my life.

What began as a job quickly became love at first sight. The idea of travelling while doing what I loved ignited something powerful in me. I worked throughout Naples, especially in the heart of the Centro Storico, surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic pizzerias. But soon, the desire to see the world grew.

At 18 years old, I moved to Germany and worked in a small town, then returned to Naples before taking another leap — this time to London, where I worked with the renowned Italian franchise Fratelli La Bufala.

A few years later, I was offered a life-changing opportunity in Brazil, joining Eataly / Rossopomodoro São Paulo, one of the most vibrant and respected culinary institutions in the country. Brazil taught me even more about the world of pizza, broadened my vision, and introduced me to my partner Ana Paula Kawano — also a chef — who later brought me to Australia.

We travelled to the Sunshine Coast, and although it took time to adapt, one thing became clear: there was a real lack of authentic Neapolitan pizzerias, and I deeply missed my culture, my family, and everything that pizza meant to me.

So, opening my own place wasn’t just a business decision — it was a way to bring a part of home with me.

Together with my wife, we bought a tiny, humble business called Goodslice after COVID

and transformed it into a true Neapolitan pizzeria model. Today, Goodslice is a place of passion, community, teaching, and constant experimentation — a space where tradition meets innovation every single day.

I have lived both the old school and the new school of pizza-making.

That balance is what makes my style unique:

the discipline and respect of Naples, combined with modern techniques, creativity, and an open mind.

My mission is simple:

to bring authenticity to the Sunshine Coast,

to inspire others,

to teach those who want to learn,

and to create a space where pizza isn’t just food — it’s connection, craft, culture, and joy.

Over the years, I’ve seen many new pizzerias and even a few “‘offspring’” pop up along the Coast — a natural sign that Goodslice set the standard and inspired others to follow.

But there is only one original Goodslice, and it lives proudly here in Maroochydore.

Pizza has never been just a job for me —

it is my world, my playground, my way of meeting people, expressing creativity, and sharing a part of who I am.

Every day I experiment with new combinations, new techniques, and new dough processes, always chasing improvement and excellence.

And this is only the beginning.