Neapolitan Pizza Part II {event} - The Recap

Earlier this year I launched Figs and Flights {events}. They're an in person celebration of life fueled by food and travel. They are an extension of the Figs and Flights blog and brand. The {events} take place in Seattle and focus on another place, it's culture, and cuisine. 

The first {event} was Neapolitan Pizza in April. The second {event} was Irish Hospitality in May. The third Figs and Flights {event} was a redo of the first one, Neapolitan Pizza Part II, this time taking place in August. 

Let's recap the third {event}, shall we?

Hi there, it's Neapolitan Pizza Part II.

Come to an {event} and relax, I've planned it all out and given you the details.

On Sunday, August 4, we gathered in the loft at the Westlake Tutta Bella Pizzeria. We had one big table with 16 of us gathered 'round. The food was excellent, as we knew it would be. The vibe was relaxed, enjoyable, and friendly. 

The name cards keep improving!

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Why did you redo the Neapolitan Pizza {event}?

There are a few reasons for the redo.

First, August is fresh fig season. When we initially planned the Neapolitan Pizza {event} menu and decided on on a pizza topped with figs I was delighted. Somehow Tutta Bella got fresh figs in April, when they're not yet in season, which was likely hard to do. When we wrapped that first event someone from Tutta Bella mentioned a repeat event during fresh fig season. GREAT idea. Same great space and food but with less nervous energy for ya' girl.

Second, my parents were visiting Seattle and wanted to see me in action. Let me tell you that they're more confused about blogging than the rest of us are… When their trip was scheduled for August, Neapolitan Pizza Part II was a done deal.

​Next question!

August - when it's finally summer in Seattle and fig season!

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How was it similar to the first Neapolitan Pizza {event}?

Same menu, same space, same me! 

The conversation was still focused on Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and Seattle's rockstar status as the US city with the most Neapolitan Certified Pizzerias. We learned about Tutta Bella's title as the Northwest's first certified Neapolitan pizzeria and what exactly it means to get that fancy certification for your pizzeria. We talked about the OG Margherita pizza and how it was a gift to Italy's Queen Margherita herself. 

While most of the guests were new to the {events} we did have one guest who came to the original event and part II. Thank you, Lauren! 

Our group in the loft at Tutta Bella

New date/same great menu!

The Palermo Salad

The Napoli Salad

Margherita Pizza

The Calabrese Pizza, the one with FIGS! This one didn't have prosciutto.

CANNOLI!

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How was it different from the first Neapolitan Pizza {event}?

This time we partied early on a Sunday evening (last time was a Friday night) The loft stayed sunny and nobody was rushing in after work. The overall feeling and the end of the weekend was a little breezier than an Friday night..

We had 16 people this time which was much more comfortable than the 30 we had the first time. While I assumed more people would be better we fit quite nicely around a big table and the room wasn't awkwardly split in two. I stand corrected.

My parents came this time, which was a first. About an hour before we were leaving the house my Uncle Joey, who lives in California and is notorious for surprising our family with his presence, walked right into my living room! Bryce was in cahoots with him for the surprise and he, too, joined us for the event. The photo of Uncle Joey and my Mom/his sister with the cannoli is priceless! 

We had kids in attendance for the first time! I'm sure they had fun and we all loved when one of them asked a question in front of the whole crowd. "Do we have to eat all of our food?" The answer is, of course, you'll have to ask your parents. 

The name cards have improved yet again! For the first {event} we didn't have any, the second {event} I'd handwritten them, and this time they were professionally printed and perfectly branded. Wellllll not perfectly, since the little holder covered up the Figs and Flights name, but we're almost there!

The event logistics were much smoother since I was familiar with the space and quantities of each dish. Food came to us in coordinated waves:

• both salads at once
• first pizza
• second pizza
• extra pizza (1 of each type)
• dessert

This time we didn't do any giveaways. I'm not sure that anyone noticed!

New this time was my FAMILY in attendence!

My Mom and her baby bro/my Uncle Joey with cannoli. It's our family FAVORITE.

Chatting and eating, eating and chatting.

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Thoughts and feelings after the third {event}.

My goal is to be constantly improving overall, and I've also named a few specific areas for these {events}: speaking, event details, branding, and guest experience. The little things like the name cards and my new vision of a photo booth or opportunity are my favorite parts to create and keep expanding/growing. 

When 30 people came to the first event I was totally blown away. That quantity of people interested in my efforts was the boost of confidence that I didn't know I needed to confirm that Figs and Flights was heading the right direction. When the numbers weren't as high for the second event I was heart broken for a short while. Once I turned my poor attitude into gratitude I realized that it doesn't matter how many people come to these events, it's my job to make the experience AMAZING for the people who do attend, regardless of the number. 

I am LOVING the opportunity to keep growing the Figs and Flights brand and the {events}. Doing this truly makes me feel alive, like this is what I'm here for. I'll keep traveling, making my lists, and chasing adventure and then bring it to you via a night out on the town. 

My entire life I've been called bossy. It's true and it's OK! I'll keep picking the dates, themes, menus, and so on so that you can just show up and enjoy your life fueled by food and travel ​in the little space that I've created.

Thanks for joining me both in real life for the {events} and via reading this blog!

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What's next?

The Portugal {event} is on Saturday, September 21. We'll taste 6 Portuguese wines and enjoy the best little desserts from Portugal called Pasteis de Nata. 

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased right here or using the button, below. 

I need tickets!

I've got a million {event} ideas swirling around. Right now I don't know what will come after Portugal. Maybe Nashville hot chicken, a Hawaiian BBQ, or an old-school snack swap with 90's hip hop!

Fall is filled with fun events around Seattle. We'll for sure get an {outing} together for the San Gennaro Festival, the Italian Festival, and more! {Outings} are large events in Seattle that we'll gather and attend and a group without ticket sales or a designated space or menu. It's a more casual group adventure than the {events}. Follow Figs and Flights on Facebook for updates regarding {outings}.

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