Erica Bell on the Secret Sauce Behind Great Pizza—and Even Better Culture

In this episode of Pursue Vegas, we sit down with Erica Bell, the powerhouse GM behind Double Zero Pie, a Neo Neapolitan pizzeria tucked inside Las Vegas’s Chinatown and quickly becoming one of the city’s culinary crown jewels.

Erica’s journey—from Albuquerque to San Francisco to the Vegas food scene—has been built on one core belief: “When you start with the person, everything else falls in place.”

At Double Zero, it’s not just about pizza. It’s about emotional intelligence, mentorship, and building a team that actually gives a damn. Erica, alongside chef Michael Vakneen and Joshua Goss, has helped shape a restaurant known not only for fermented dough and international ingredients, but for culture and care.

“Neo Neapolitan pizza stems from Naples. When it came to the States, it got tweaked. Here at Double Zero, we care about quality.”

We talk about what it takes to build something great in a city of trends—how showing up consistently, supporting your team, and knowing when to ask for help creates longevity.

“If you feel insecure and can't find the words, lean on someone to help you bring that forward.”

Now preparing for the Pizza Expo, Erica shares how she’s stepping into the spotlight with the World Pizza Champions and why she believes collaboration will always beat competition.

“We stand out together because we can’t do things by ourselves.”

Whether you’re in the hospitality industry or just hungry for a better way to lead, this episode will feed your soul—and maybe your pizza cravings too.

Key Takeaways:

• Neo Neapolitan pizza is a blend of science, tradition, and bold reinvention.
• Emotional intelligence and mentorship are vital in building lasting business culture.
• Hospitality is about care—what you do and how you do it.
• Las Vegas’s food scene is thriving through collaboration, not competition.
• When you love what you do, it shows up on the plate and in the team.

Resources:

• Double Zero Pie and Pub Instagram
• Erica Bell on Instagram
• Vegas Test Kitchen
• Ferguson's Downtown
• Pizza Expo

Thanks for tuning in to The Pursue Vegas Podcast!