Napoli Pizza Village (Naples, Italy)

Napoli Pizza Village is the largest food happening in Italy.  It’s an extraordinary event, a must for anyone that has an appreciation for the Neapolitan culture and their rich food heritage, but most of all Neapolitan Pizza. The event offers an unmatchable opportunity to not only taste some of the finest pizza in Naples and get up close and personal with some of the world’s best pizza makers, but also gain a deeper understanding of the profoundly rich Neapolitan pizza culture.

The Neapolitan Art of Pizza Making was granted the UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017, as the art of handling and preparing Neapolitan pizza was recognized as unique in the world – a living expression of the culture – traditions – passed down from generation to generation.

This is what is stated in the final Unesco decision: “The culinary know-how linked to the production of pizza, which includes gestures, songs, visual expressions, local jargon, the ability to handle pizza dough, perform and share is an indisputable cultural heritage. Pizza makers and their guests are engaged in a social ritual, whose counter and oven act as a “stage” during the pizza making process. This occurs in a convivial atmosphere involving constant exchanges with guests. Starting from the poor neighborhoods of Naples, the culinary tradition is deeply rooted in the daily life of the community. For many young practitioners, becoming Pizzaiolo (pizza maker) is also a way to avoid social marginalization. 

This event is unique because it not only offers the chance to walk around and take in the convivial atmosphere of the Neapolitan pizza scene —but as the evening unfolds with an explosion of all the above —you can’t help but rejoice and appreciate the art of Neapolitan pizza making and its world renowned cultural heritage status. And the moment you take that first bite of a hot slice, straight off the peel, prepared by one of the masterful pizzaioli that engaged you from the start —you quickly understand why Neapolitan pizza is considered the most famous in the world. ♥Napoli 

Here’s my boys with Master Pizza-maker, Gino Sorbillo

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A Glimpse into the Neapolitan Pizza Scene….

Napoli Pizza Village is an annual event that takes place on Via Francesco Caracciolo, a picturesque promenade that extends along the bay of Naples with magnificent seascape and cityscape views. During this 10-day event this usually tranquil promenade livens up each day at dusk, as soon as the city lights begin to turn on and the melodic tunes of the scheduled performers and live bands begin to waft through the city air. The ambiance is festive and cheerful, but it’s no wonder really, as guests are attending the most epic pizza celebration of all time in the heart of ♥Napoli♥ : the birthplace of pizza!  

Along the promenade colorful pizza stalls representing 45 of the best pizzeria’s in Naples are set up, side by side and fully equipped with everything necessary for the pizzaioli to proudly show off their craft —their magic —their love and passion for pizza making —their rich cultural heritage.

 

From stall to stall, these pizzaioli have it all, pizza in every scrumptious way imaginable. Every pizzeria presents a different pizza with inspired toppings or fillings (or forms) that are surprising and delightful— one masterly crafted temptation after the next. This is an event to attend when you are hungry, and it is definitely not a time to hold back. Rather, it’s a time to dig in, experience the taste of all you can’t resist, and savor the uniqueness of the delicious moment; eating authentic Neapolitan pizza in a magical setting prepared by a group of the best pizzaioli in the world.

Here are a few examples of the inspired pizza’s that were prepared at the stalls of Napoli’s grand master pizzaioli – the best of the best – just to wet your whistles. Sorbillo’s “Pizza Nonna Carolina” — a traditional Neapolitan round pizza topped with cherry tomatoes, buffalo milk provola cheese, thin slivers of pesto Genovese DOP, and basil — Fratelli Salvo’s “Montanara alla Parmigiana” — a traditional Neapolitan montanara (fried pizza) topped with a puree of eggplant and Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese, shavings of 36 month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and basil —Vincenzo Capuano’s “Abbraccio e Mamma” — a traditional Neapolitan crust-filled pizza — filled with a puree of purple potatoes and ricotta cheese and topped with cow milk mozzarella cheese, little fried purple potato chips, and parmigiana cheese fondue — Concettina ai Tre Santi’s “Fondazione San Gennaro” — a traditional Neapolitan crust-filled pizza (mini) —filled with ricotta cheese and topped with cow milk mozzarella cheese, salami, crumbled tarallo, and basil

and Zia Esternia Sorbillo’s “Fritta Speciale”— a traditional Neapolitan fried pizza filled with buffalo milk ricotta and crumbled Neapolitan tarallo.  Just take a look at this video and watch these Pizzaioli showing off their craft —their magic —their rich culinary heritage ♥The Art of Neapolitan Pizza Making♥ 

And to top it off, the Napoli Pizza Village in collaboration with Casa Rossopomodoro and Molino Caputo also offers the opportunity for guests to participate in their “NPV Hands-on Pizza-Making Lessons,”where the grand master pizzaioli of the village reveal the delicious secrets of making an authentic Neapolitan pizza in a conventional home oven. They offer lessons designed for both adults and kids amusement.

As I have been privy to their delicious secrets, I must share at least one important one; Molino Caputo flour !!  It’s an essential ingredient used by most of the pizzaioli in Naples to achieve the world-renowned Neapolitan pizza crust. 

I am still salivating and hungry recalling it all, every delicious moment and taste of the experience – which I am sure will be fondly remembered in every attendees mind.

*For anyone in the United States that would like to attend the event, keep in mind, that United Airlines, has daily non-stop flights from New York to Napoli.  It’s a comfortable and easy journey, even if it is just for a decadent long weekend to attend this amazing event and experience all the cheer and delicious Neapolitan fun.

Just a touch more of the magical ambiance at the Napoli Pizza Village♥  Ciao for now!

 

For more info and future dates click here