Ben and Samantha, the husband-and-wife team behind Mezzaluna Pizza, have deep roots in Kennett Square that stretch back long before they launched their pizza trailer or opened the Mill Road pizzeria. Ben’s journey working in a kitchen began as a high school student when he got his first job washing dishes at the Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon. In fact, Ben’s brothers also worked there, and his family even celebrated his graduation from Kennett High at the Half Moon. Little did he know, the Half Moon would later become a date night spot for him and Samantha, and its legacy would live on in the logo of their future business, making it a meaningful part of the Mezzaluna story.

Ben and Samantha first met in 2011 at the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade. Ben, who had recently joined the Kennett Fire Company, met Samantha, a member of the West Grove Fire Department. After the parade, the two firehouses joined together for a pig roast, and it was there that Ben and Samantha hit it off.

Samantha went on to become a teacher, while Ben embarked on a career in public service, working as a cop, firefighter, and EMT. After living in Charleston and Denver, Ben felt the urge for a career change. He started working in a restaurant, and eventually transitioned into sales for a pizza trailer company. Soon, Ben was teaching intensive three-day cooking classes to train buyers of pizza trailers.

Ben was quickly becoming immersed in the pizza industry, and was involved in a conversation with a vendor from Ecuador about pizza tools. In casual conversation, the vendor referred to the pizza cutter as a “mezzaluna,” an Italian term meaning “half moon,” the name immediately struck a chord with Ben, reminding him of his time at the Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon.

Later, Ben and Samantha brainstormed ideas for a logo, they decided to incorporate the half moon into the design as both a tribute to Ben’s humble beginning and a nod to the Italian pizza tool. Everything seemed to be coming full circle. They quickly called up Samantha’s high school friend, who hand-sketched a, ‘content-looking’ moon and traced one of their actual pizzas onto the other half of the logo. The design came together during that call, and with the help of a digital designer, the Mezzaluna logo we know today was born.

Ben and Samantha felt a strong pull to return to the Kennett area and take the leap into the pizza world. However, the timing wasn’t on their side. In March 2020, they were approved for a loan to help fund their entrepreneurial venture, but shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and their loan was pulled. Ben explains that it was an uphill battle but the couple pressed on. In October 2020, they landed their first gig—catering for the Kennett Square fire company with nothing more than a pop-up tent and two small propane ovens. The event was a success, and the funds they earned helped to purchase their first pizza trailer.

From there, the mobile trailer known as Mezzaluna Pizza began to grow and build a loyal following in Chester County, including serving pizza at Kennett Collaborative events like Summerfest and Third Thursdays.

When the café on Mill Road decided to pursue a different direction, Ben and Samantha saw an opportunity. They moved into their first brick-and-mortar location, solidifying Mezzaluna Pizza as a beloved staple in the Kennett Square community. Both Ben and Samantha are true pizza enthusiasts, fully immersed in the pizza community. Each year, they attend the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

In 2022, Ben’s dedication paid off when he earned 2nd place in the Northeast and 6th place in the world in the non-traditional pizza division. This year, both Ben and Samantha are returning to the International Pizza Challenge. Ben will again compete in the non-traditional pizza category, while Samantha will take on the challenge of creating the world’s best slice of cheese pizza. With over 600 competitors from around the globe, the competition is intense—but Ben and Samantha are ready to take it on.

Mezzaluna Pizza is now offering something exciting: a limited-release Detroit-style pizza available first come, first serve on Tuesdays. This square-shaped pizza boasts a thick, crispy crust baked in a blue steel pan—a classic Michigan favorite. The cheese blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and provolone creates that signature caramelized crust, while the sauce is added on top after baking, resulting in a thick, fluffy base with crispy edges. This Detroit-style pizza is quickly becoming a fan favorite.

Mezzaluna Pizza is also committed to offering a variety of options for all types of diets, including gluten-free and vegan pizzas. Ben and Samantha take great care to follow strict safety practices when preparing gluten-free pizzas.

Through their hard work, dedication, and passion for pizza, Ben and Samantha have become an integral part of the Kennett Square community. The couple met years ago at the Memorial Day Parade, and Samantha recently served on the 2024 Holiday Light Parade committee. Mezzaluna Pizza is more than just a pizza place—it’s a story of love, perseverance, and the joy of sharing great food with a great community. We’re lucky to have them here, and we’ll be cheering for Ben and Samantha as they compete at the International Pizza Expo March 25th – 27th!