Meet the Chef

New York-raised Auggie ‘AJ’ Russo is shaking up the conventional pizza shop and swapping in a charming outdoor carbohydrate speakeasy — complete with punk whimsy, colorful décor, and an emphasis on the casual. The Tiny Pizza Kitchen, brought to life by Russo after a year into the pandemic, serves homemade whole Neapolitan pies and Sicilian pizza by the slice, all made with local ingredients and fired in his rustic outdoor oven.

Growing up with his Neapolitan grandmother, Russo spent much of his free time as a child in the kitchen with family, assisting her with various prep work and tasks to help make her beloved meals. As a youngster, Russo worked in a variety of shops and restaurants, eventually making it to Provincetown, Massachusetts. It was there he observed the staff, particularly the sauté chef – and fell deeper in love with the art of cooking. Russo then went on to attend Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island and soon after made a name for himself as a hungry, young chef in New York City.

After several years serving high profile events across the east coast, Russo took a much-needed respite and redirected his interests towards a new love: video editing. He has spent the past two decades working for a number of organizations and creative companies on film, television, and commercial productions. Then the pandemic hit. 

In 2020, Auggie returned to one of his original passions — pizza. Intended as a fun side hobby for the weekend, what eventually became the Tiny Pizza Kitchen now fills Russo’s week. His pies use fresh ingredients from across the city, and are infused with his grandmother’s best recipes.

If you’re looking for a casual yet groovy meal in Brooklyn, look no further. Visit the Tiny Pizza Kitchen for a delicious pizza in a space unlike any other.