James Leprino, the visionary dairy entrepreneur who transformed mozzarella into a pizza staple and earned the nickname "Willy Wonka of Cheese," has passed away at 87. His innovations—like perfecting low-moisture mozzarella—made cheese melt consistently, reshaping the pizza industry and fueling the rise of chains like Domino’s and Pizza Hut.

Editor’s Note: Leprino’s story isn’t just about cheese—it’s about how one person’s obsession with quality can quietly redefine an entire culinary landscape. Without his work, the pizza we know today (think: that perfect stretchy, gooey melt) might not exist. His legacy is a reminder that even "niche" innovations can have massive cultural ripple effects.