{"id":614516,"date":"2025-09-05T13:12:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pizzatoday.com\/?p=614516"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:12:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:12:26","slug":"ali-doukali-of-genova-pizza-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pizzatoday.com\/news\/ali-doukali-of-genova-pizza-conversation\/614516\/","title":{"rendered":"Ali Doukali of Genova Pizza | Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Genova Pizza in Audubon, New Jersey, ‘Every Slice is Made With Intention’<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Pizza Styles & Dough<\/h2>\n

At Genova Pizza<\/a> in Audubon, New Jersey, our dough is where it all begins. It\u2019s cold-proofed<\/a> for 48 hours to lock in that rich flavor and give it the perfect chew \u2013 crispy on the bottom<\/a>, airy on the inside. We lean into a New York-style base<\/a>, but we\u2019ve built our own lane with creations like the upside-down Sicilian<\/a> and our famous vodka pie. It\u2019s classic, but with a Genova edge. Every slice is made with intention.<\/p>\n

What inspired you to honor your grandmother with a mural?<\/h3>\n

She was the soul of our family. Strong, nurturing and the original engine behind everything we do. When we took over Genova, we knew we had to honor her in a big way. The mural isn\u2019t just art, it\u2019s our \u201cthank you.\u201d Now, her face watches over the shop, and she\u2019s part of every slice we serve.<\/p>\n

What was the process of finding an artist and the logistics of having the mural painted?<\/h3>\n

We weren\u2019t going to settle. We needed someone who got it \u2013 someone who could bring her spirit to life, not just her smile. After searching local artists, we found someone who understood the assignment. The process wasn\u2019t easy \u2013 weather delays, tight windows and some last-minute ladder drama \u2013 but when that final brushstroke hit, it changed everything. It became a part of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

How else do you keep your family legacy going with your multi-generational pizzeria?<\/h3>\n

Legacy is everything here. My father spent years baking in Corsica, France. He learned the craft of breadmaking<\/a> the hard way, by doing it every day. That knowledge got passed down to us, and it\u2019s the backbone of our dough and our work ethic. We keep that same energy alive by treating our customers like family and making sure every plate that leaves the kitchen has heart behind it.<\/p>\n

Your sandwiches also are stars. What makes them so special? Which is the most popular and why?<\/h3>\n

We don\u2019t treat sandwiches<\/a> like side items. They\u2019re headliners. We build them fresh, hot and bold. The most talked-about? Our Chicken Vodka Cutlet. It\u2019s a hand-breaded cutlet, house vodka sauce<\/a> and melted mozzarella stacked high on a toasted roll. It\u2019s messy, it\u2019s comforting, and it\u2019s uniquely Genova. Once people try it, it becomes their go-to.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n