[Pizza chefs Gino Sorbillo and Davide Ruotolo at Napoli Pizza Village. Photo credit scattidigusto.it.]
Napoli Pizza Village, the world’s largest event dedicated to pizza, is currently under way in Naples, on the Caracciolo seafront: 30,000 square meters devoted to Italy’s most famous and successful food export, with tastings, workshops, conferences, live demonstrations, and concerts, all with magnificent views over the Gulf of Naples.
The annual event returns to Naples for its 8th edition, the first after Unesco recognized the art of Neapolitan pizza-making as ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’.
45 wooden ovens have been placed along the promenade, for one giant pizzeria, with all kinds of offerings, and the chance to meet established and up-and-coming pizza chefs (Gino Sorbillo, Ciro Oliva, Giuseppe Vesi, Vincenzo Capuano, among others), offering their creations, which include ‘pizza fritta’ (fried pizza), gourmet variations, gluten-free options, and the so-called ‘pizza pascalina,’ a pizza made with flour, tomatoes, olives and walnuts, which is said to prevent cancer.
Each of the 45 pizzerias attending the event has prepared a special pizza for the occasion, such as the Genovese, made with Genoese pesto, ricotta and fior di latte mozzarella, or Zucchetta, with pumpkin cream, speck and mozzarella, or Scarpariello, with tomato fillet, pecorino romano, parmigiano reggiano, red pepper, basil and extra virgin olive oil (are you drooling yet?).
Entrance to the Napoli Pizza Village costs €12 and includes a menu of pizza, drink, dessert and coffee.
For those interested in learning more about pizza, there will be several themed presentations every evening at 7:30 pm; topics include the ‘internationalization’ of Neapolitan pizza, best types of flours to use for pizza, pizza toppings from Slow Food presidia, and female pizza chefs.
Pizza masters from around the world (more than 40 countries are represented) will also take part in the 17th edition of the Pizzaiolo World Championship, from 4 to 6 June. This competition has nine sections including traditional Neapolitan pizza, seasonal pizza, free style and even acrobatic teams.
For more information and for tickets, visit the Napoli Pizza Village website.
