Why do you enjoy making pizza at home?

I find the process of baking to be enjoyable; it’s a fun activity that I can do with my kids.

What made you start cooking pizzas at home, from scratch, instead of ordering?

A freshly baked pizza is much higher in quality than a delivered pizza. A delivered pizza steams in a box and gets soggy. You can reheat it, but it is just not as good and fresh as when straight from the oven.

What oven do you use?

I use an Ooni Karu oven, which is a game-changer of an oven. You can get results similar to that of a massive brick oven pizza, with much more convenience and less time.

Do you make your own dough?

Yes, I make my own dough. It’s fairly easy and a fun part of the process.

What is your favourite pizza to make?

I like Neapolitan style pizza and I stick to the classics, a Margherita or Romana plus a meat-based pizza like salsiccia or salame.

What makes a great pizza?

It takes a lot of practice and skill to make a great pizza. Pizzaiolos in Italy (and Japan) spend many years perfecting their craft. Getting the dough right, using the best ingredients and mastering the timing and temperature of the oven are all important factors. I can’t say I can make great pizza yet, but I’m working on it.

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What do you like to pair with your pizza?

A simple wine like a Dolcetto or a Barbera pairs well with a Margherita. And perhaps a Chianti or Nero d’Avola for a meat-based pizza.

Any tips for those who want to try making pizza at home?

I’d say get yourself a good oven, as you’ll only get that perfect crust with an oven that can achieve 500°C. But also realise that you need to put in some time and practice to get good at making pizza. If you’re the type of person who can get into that, then go for it.

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The blogger behind 80 Breakfasts and Instagram influencer @chichajo

Why do you enjoy making pizza at home?

My whole family loves pizzas and making them at home means you can customise them to exactly suit your tastes. And you can have it hot, straight out of the oven! Making pizza also makes for a great family activity, especially for the kids!

What made you start cooking pizzas at home, from scratch, instead of ordering?

First, I still order pizza! But during the lockdown I did want to lessen the amount of prepared food I order from outside. When making pizza at home you have more control of what goes on the pizza. Plus, like I mentioned, it’s a great thing to do with kids. . . a big plus!

What oven do you use?

I use my regular oven (turned up to as high a temp as I can get it to) with a pizza stone.

Do you make your own dough?

I used to make my own dough until I discovered Fearless Apron’s pizza dough!! I keep it in my freezer and thaw overnight in the fridge the night before I want to use it. It’s a very good dough! I divide one dough portion into two and give everyone their own portion to shape out and top as they want. You still end up feeling like you made your pizza from scratch!

What is your favourite pizza to make?

Each of us make our own. The kids love bacon and cheese. I’ll usually try a different combination each time I make mine. My husband loves to pile on everything ... especially anchovies!

What makes a great pizza?

A great pizza is different for everyone. For me, it’s a good crust and whatever your preferred toppings are ... no rules! Oh, and must be served hot!

What do you like to pair with your pizza?

Beer!

Any tips for those who want to try making pizza at home?

Go with what you like. . . no need to follow the trendiest thing online. Don’t be too worried about everything not coming out perfect. And don’t worry about the mess!

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Owner and president, Bacchus International

Why do you enjoy making pizza at home?

Because I can make pizza the way I want them, and with the toppings my family prefers.

What made you start cooking pizzas at home, from scratch, instead of ordering?

I started because of our trips to Napoli and Italy in general. I prefer the authentic Italian pizza—from the ingredients to pizza ovens and tools, I have full control.

What oven do you use?

I use several kinds. If I’m in a hurry and just want one pizza, Gferrari. If I have more time, either an Alfa 4pizze or a Valoriani Oven—always wood-fired.

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Do you make your own dough?

We actually distribute Caputo flour which is the world leader of pizza flour from Napoli, so not only do we make our own dough, we sell frozen dough balls at Bacchus Epicerie and I am happy to say that our clients enjoy them.

What is your favourite pizza to make?

My favourite is a simple Margherita if I can find nice basil, then I add anchovies for my own twist.

What makes a great pizza?

It is 70 per cent quality of the crust, soft and chewy in texture with a little crunch on the bottom. Then, you need really good quality toppings and of course, cheese.

What do you like to pair with your pizza?

With pizza, I keep it simple. A nice Italian beer or even a Coke Zero or peach iced tea with the kids.

Any tips for those who want to try making pizza at home?

Decide first if you want to make Napoli style or American style pizza because the recipes for the dough are totally different. This decision will depend on the oven you have available.

Napoli style pizza needs high heat, about 316 to 426C and American pizza can use a pizza stone and a regular oven. After deciding, you can really learn a lot from watching YouTube videos about making dough and the stretching technique. And since pizza is a simple dish, get the best quality toppings available, then go to your happy place!

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Restaurateur and owner of The Sunny Side Group

Why do you enjoy making pizza at home? What made you start cooking pizzas at home?

It all started with the oven. I wanted to try out an Ooni oven with the purpose of using it for a new restaurant we were developing. But the pandemic happened, and we had to shelve that idea. However, my interest in the oven and what I could do with it was still there. Luckily, having the oven in the house was a big help during this time because it gave me a fun distraction. And of course, getting freshly baked pizzas that are far from what’s commercially available was definitely a welcome treat.

What oven do you use?

I bought an Ooni Koda 16. It’s a great oven that goes up to very high temperatures in just a short amount of time. Perfect for making Neapolitan-style pizza and even searing some steaks.

Do you make your own dough?

Part of the reason why I wanted to get into pizza was to learn how to handle dough; so, I do make it from scratch instead of using store-bought ones. It’s a lot of work because I’ve been doing a two-day cold ferment, but I’m pleased with the results. As with anyone else who got into bread-making during this pandemic, there’s a certain magic to taking care of your dough then watching it come alive as it rises and gets baked.

What is your favourite pizza to make?

I like all kinds but I’ve been focusing my energies on Neapolitan-style pizza. We live in Alabang and unfortunately, up until recently, you couldn’t really get that kind of pizza in our location easily. I also like how Neapolitan-style pizzas are largely dependent on the success of your dough. You cannot hide a bad pizza under tons of toppings.

What makes a great pizza?

It’s all about balance for me. I’m not a fan of overly laden pies. I’d rather have a good ratio of dough to toppings. That’s why I’m perfectly happy with even a basic pizza with spicy pepperoni, a simple sauce and great cheese on it.

What do you like to pair with your pizza?

While I was practising making pizza, I found that simple gin and tonic was perfect not only because they’re great for outdoor drinking but because they’re dead easy to do—crucial when you already have your hands full working on your dough! Luckily, some great local spirits that were launched during the pandemic, like Santa Ana Gin and Archipelago, are perfect for making G&Ts on hot summer days spent outside making pizza.

Any tips for those who want to try making pizza at home?

First of all, if you’re trying to make simple pizzas that don’t depend on a ton of toppings, you have to use the best flour that you can get your hands on. Fortunately, there are now local suppliers of “Tipo 00” flours from Italy that are amazing for Neapolitan-style pizza because they have excellent gluten formation.

Secondly, to paraphrase a famous chef, you can’t make great pizza without making bad ones first. That’s what I always try to remember because working on the dough can indeed be difficult. The best thing about making pizza yourself though is that even when it doesn’t look perfect, they still taste great.

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Actor

Why do you enjoy making pizza at home?

I am new to making pizza at home. I used to not even like eating pizza! I used to think it was not real food. I didn’t appreciate good pizza perhaps from my school days in the US and having lots of frozen pizza!

Now I love making pizza at home because it brings everyone together on the roof deck. We all bond. We do this together as family, no technology, no cell phones. Ellen’s son builds a playhouse with boxes while we cook. We now do this weekly, and we love it!

What made you start cooking pizzas at home, from scratch?

I found this oven and it changed my life. I saw my friend posting about an Ooni oven and I was so curious, so I checked it out. Oven Depot sent me dough and ingredients and so we made pizza as a family. It was difficult at first, very hard; but it was also so much fun.

What is your favourite pizza to make?

Basic! I like pepperoni and lots of mozzarella or parma ham. Ellen however likes burrata and honey.

What do you like to pair with your pizza?

Ellen likes gin with pizza. I like beer or rum.

Any tips for those who want to try making pizza at home

 First off, get the right oven. It makes it so easy. The pizza is cooked in less than one minute! You must keep watching the pizza too. Don’t worry about making it a perfect circle, that’s not even how they do it in Italy. The real challenge is how thin you can get it. My tip is to use a lot of flour.

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