A New Orleans chef’s creative love for baseball and pizza recently paid off in a big way. By making unusual banana-themed pizzas inspired by the Savannah Bananas baseball team, the chef caught enough attention to receive a surprise reward — tickets to see the team play when they visit the city.
New Orleans Chef Surprised With Savannah Bananas Tickets After Making Banana Pizzas
A local chef in New Orleans turned his fandom of the popular Savannah Bananas baseball team into a fun food experiment — and it ended with a surprise.
Chef Phillip Mariano, who works at Pizza Domenica, has been making banana-inspired pizzas and sharing them on social media in hopes of catching the attention of the entertaining baseball team.
His goal was simple: get tickets to see the Savannah Bananas play when they arrive in New Orleans.
And recently, that wish came true.
The Banana Pizza Idea
Mariano created a unique pizza inspired by the team’s name and playful brand.
The unusual recipe includes:
- Shredded mozzarella
- Fresh pineapple
- Bananas
- Jalapeños
The pizza is a twist on the classic Hawaiian pizza, but with bananas added for a creative flavor combination.
According to Mariano, the idea may sound unusual at first, but the flavor works surprisingly well.
He explained that experimenting with new toppings is part of the fun at Pizza Domenica.
Social Media Posts Catch Attention
For weeks, Mariano posted videos of his banana pizzas on social media, hoping the posts would “a-peel” to the Savannah Bananas.
The chef said he has been following the team for several years and wanted the chance to see them play in person.
He previously missed the opportunity when the team performed in Baton Rouge last year.
Now that the team is coming to New Orleans, he was determined not to miss them again.
A Surprise From the Sports Foundation
The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation helped make Mariano’s wish come true.
The organization played a role in bringing the Savannah Bananas’ unique “Banana Ball” games to New Orleans.
They surprised Mariano with tickets so he could finally watch the team live.
The moment was captured by WGNO reporter Kenny Lopez during the surprise reveal.
Banana Pizzas Now on the Menu
The creative pizza is now available at both Pizza Domenica locations in New Orleans.
The unusual topping combination has become a fun way for customers to celebrate the team’s upcoming visit.
Mariano said creating new and playful menu items is part of the restaurant’s approach to pizza.
With the Savannah Bananas coming to town, the banana pizza felt like the perfect culinary tribute.
Savannah Bananas Coming to New Orleans
The Savannah Bananas are known for their entertaining style of baseball known as “Banana Ball,” which mixes sports with comedy, dancing, and fan interaction.
The team will perform at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on:
- March 14
- March 15
The games are expected to attract large crowds due to the team’s growing popularity.
Mariano joked that if he ever gets the chance to meet the players, he might even try to convince them to try his banana pizza.
