National Pizza Month

National Pizza Month is the perfect time to indulge in some delicious, juicy, crispy pizza. Who doesn’t love this classic Italian dish? Throughout October, there are a range of events dedicated to pizza – so why not take part?

History

National Pizza Month originated in the United States in 1984, when Gerry Durnell, the founder of the Pizza Today newspaper, declared October as the official National Pizza Month. Following this announcement, people were quick to embrace the idea, with some learning how to make the dish, others researching its history, and some even taking jobs in pizza restaurants.

It is thought that the dish was first developed in Naples, with flat cakes being sold in special stalls from the 1830s, smothered in tomato sauce. Nowadays, there are so many types of pizza, with some including ingredients that wouldn’t usually go together in other dishes.

Interesting facts

• The original pizza was square-shaped, eventually turning into a round shape.
• The most expensive pizza in the world can be found in Salerno, Italy, costing a whopping $12. Surprisingly, it still has its admirers.
• In 2006, a custom-made pizza cost $70. This record was set by Mr. Beast, who puzzled the chef with his unusual ingredients including gold leaf, truffle, 000-year-old parmesan bechamel, Japanese beef and albino caviar.
• 2001 saw a Russian organization send a pizza to the International Space Station, with Yuri Usachev becoming the first cosmonaut to receive pizza in space.
• In 2006, a world record was set by Cristian Dumitru, who ate 90 kg of pizza in 7 days.

How to take part

Take a break from your daily routine and head to the kitchen to create your signature pizza! You can find out about the process on the internet or from experienced pizza chefs. Invite your friends over and have a pizza-making competition to see whose creation tastes the best. Experiment with ingredients, take a few snaps for social media, and enjoy the delicious results!

When is National Pizza Month in 2023?

National Pizza Month is observed on October 1 each year.

Observations