DEMOREST, Ga. — Holden Oversoul recently welcomed a select group of guests for a private tasting event aimed at introducing a new offering to the Demorest dining scene: pizza.
The invitation-only event, hosted by owner Jamie Allred, brought together local officials, regular customers, and friends of the restaurant for an evening of sampling and feedback as the team continues refining its pizza program. About 100 people attended the event, which served as both a preview and a testing ground as Holden Oversoul experiments with several dough recipes and cooking methods.
Guests sampled a variety of specialty pizzas, with plans for six to seven featured options once the pizzas officially debut. In addition to specialty selections, the restaurant plans to offer a rotating daily special and customizable pizzas that allow diners to build their own combinations.
While pizza is not yet available for regular service, Allred said the restaurant is awaiting final approval from the health department. If inspections move quickly, pizza could be added to the menu before Christmas; otherwise, a full rollout is expected early in the new year.
The centerpiece of the operation is a distinctive brick oven pizza setup recently brought to Demorest from Clayton. The oven, which weighs approximately 4,500 pounds, features a rotating floor and operates using both wood and gas. It is currently housed in a trailer adjacent to the restaurant and is being used as an extension of the kitchen rather than a mobile food unit, though Allred noted it could be used for select events in the future.
Holden Oversoul plans to integrate pizza into its overall concept rather than treat it as a limited-time offering. Allred said the restaurant hopes to open on Sundays and Mondays specifically for pizza service, with patio and bar seating available, and delivery options such as DoorDash also being considered.
True to the restaurant’s philosophy, the upcoming pizza menu will continue its focus on locally sourced ingredients. Planned toppings include Italian sausage and jalapeño cheddar sausage from Texca Farm, as well as goat feta from Kirkland Farm in Rabun County, reinforcing the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local farms and producers.
The pizza expansion is part of a broader vision for Holden Oversoul as it looks ahead to future growth, including additional seating and menu options. For now, the private tasting marked an important step in shaping what Allred hopes will become a popular new chapter for the restaurant and the Demorest community.
