A TASTE OF NAPLES: The Family Story Behind Cugino Forno
There’s something special about a pizza that brings people together, and for the three cousins behind Cugino Forno, that sense of family is at the heart of everything they do. Founded by Joseph Ozbey, Yilmaz Guver, and Idris Aksoy, Cugino Forno—Italian for “Cousin Oven”—was born from a shared love of food, family, and the authentic Neapolitan pizza traditions they discovered during a trip to Naples, Italy. Inspired to bring a taste of the birthplace of pizza to the United States, the trio built a welcoming, family-friendly pizzeria where simplicity, quality, and tradition take center stage. From carefully prepared dough and ingredients imported from Italy to traditional wood-fired ovens that bake each pizza in just 90 seconds, every detail reflects their commitment to authenticity. In this conversation, co-owner Joseph Ozbey shares the story behind the brand, the importance of staying true to Neapolitan traditions, and why, when it comes to great pizza, sometimes less really is more.
Tell us about the story behind Cugino Forno. What inspired you to open the pizzeria, and where did the name come from?
Cugino Forno means “Cousin Oven” in Italian, and since there are three of us, the name was a natural fit. The inspiration came from a trip to Naples, Italy, the birthplace of pizza. We fell in love with the authentic Neapolitan pizza experience and wanted to bring that same tradition to the United States. Our concept has always been simple: to create a warm, welcoming, family-friendly pizzeria with the feel of a traditional Italian bakery. A place where people can come together, enjoy great pizza, and feel right at home.
Neapolitan pizza has a rich history and is celebrated for its simplicity. What makes it so special, and how do you stay true to its traditions at Cugino Forno?
Neapolitan pizza is all about simplicity, tradition, and quality ingredients. What makes it special is its soft, light, and airy crust, slightly charred edges, fresh ingredients, and unique cooking method. At Cugino Forno, we stay true to those traditions by using flour and other key ingredients imported from Italy, preparing our dough with care, and baking our pizzas in traditional wood-fired ovens at extremely high temperatures for approximately 90 seconds. We truly believe in the saying often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” That philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Great pizza doesn't need to be complicated. When you combine quality ingredients with traditional techniques and a passion for what you do, the result speaks for itself.
What sets Cugino Forno apart from other pizzerias, and what would you recommend to someone visiting for the first time?
What sets Cugino Forno apart is our commitment to authenticity, quality, and simplicity. From our ingredients imported from Italy to our traditional wood-fired ovens, we strive to bring a little piece of Naples to every location. But it's not just about the pizza. We want people to feel welcome, enjoy the atmosphere, and have a great experience every time they visit. For someone visiting us for the first time, I would definitely recommend our Margherita pizza. It's the most traditional Neapolitan pizza, made with just a few simple ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. It really represents everything we believe in. When the ingredients are this good, you don't need much else. And, of course, I'd tell them to save some room for our homemade gelato or cannoli.
Cugino Forno was founded by three cousins. Tell us a little about your backgrounds and how your shared passion for food and hospitality shaped the business.
Cugino Forno was founded by three cousins: Joseph Ozbey, Yilmaz Guver, and Idris Aksoy. We originally come from Turkey, where food, family, and hospitality are an important part of our culture. Growing up, we learned that food is about more than just eating. It's about bringing people together and sharing special moments.
Our passion for Italian food really grew during our travels to Italy, especially Naples, where we experienced authentic Neapolitan pizza and fell in love with the simplicity and traditions behind it. We wanted to bring that same experience to the United States while adding our own sense of hospitality. Even as we've grown, we still see Cugino Forno as a family business. We want every customer to feel welcome, enjoy great food, and leave feeling like they're part of our family. That's what Cugino Forno is all about.
What's happening at Cugino Forno in the coming months?
We offer a great weekday lunch special, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where you can enjoy a personal Neapolitan pizza and a soft drink for just $11.95.
We're also excited about expanding our pizza vending machines, which bring the same authentic Cugino Forno pizza to more communities in just a few minutes, even outside our regular restaurant hours. And, of course, we're getting closer to opening our newest location in Greenville, South Carolina, which we're very excited about! There's always something new happening at Cugino Forno, and we encourage everyone to follow us on social media to stay up to date.
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