Gracie, a kindergarten student at Asbury United Methodist Church, carefully plots her piece of pepperoni on a prepared pie at Stevi B’s Jan. 14. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – In addition to normal operating hours, Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet on Highway 72 hosts tours for elementary-school aged children. Depending on the age of the children, Barron Sims, general manager, will expound on the history of pizza and how it was introduced in the United States.

On Jan. 14, however, the classes of kindergartners from Asbury United Methodist Church were on a one-track mind.

“Really, they’re just worried about making the pizza,” Sims said.

The children were able to take a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the pizza kitchen, witnessing the slicing of pizza dough and the high-powered ovens used to cook the pies.

Afterwards, the children break into groups and help top prepared pizzas with pepperoni. The best-prepared pizza warrants 10 tickets for the in-house arcade, but all the children end up receiving the game tokens.

After building up an appetite at the game room, the children are served fresh, hot pizzas for the conclusion of the tour.

“It’s a win-win situation for us all,” Sims said. “More people get to know about us and where we are, and they have fun in the process.”

Stevi B’s, which has been in its location on 72 between County Line Road and Balch Road since December 2013, regularly hosts fundraisers for Madison City Schools athletic teams and other organizations in addition to the school tours. Sims added that tours usually consist of children in kindergarten and preschool, though sometimes fifth- or sixth-graders partake in the tours.

“It’s a constantly evolving thing, so we’re always trying new things with this tour,” Sims said.

Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet is located at 5510 Promenade Point Parkway in Madison. To schedule a tour or for other information, call 256-325-9009.