3-Day Professional Pizza University Class

Neapolitan Pizza Practicum: Traditional Pizza Making and Wood Fired Cooking Techniques with Maestro Giulio Adriani

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Class Overview

Come join us for an intensive practical class where you will make, stretch, cook (and eat!) your Neapolitan pizzas…on repeat! During this 3-day hands-on class, not only you’ll learn how to make traditional Neapolitan dough from scratch, but we’ll delve deep into the Neapolitan stretching method, also known as the slapping technique and we’ll navigate wood-fired oven operations, from temperature control to wood selection, and learn how to efficiently cook multiple pizzas simultaneously. Would you rather use a gas-fired oven? No problem! While we prioritize the authenticity of wood-fired oven techniques, we understand that the culinary world is diverse, that’s why our curriculum accommodates gas-fired oven enthusiasts as well. So, whether you’re a beginner keen on understanding the basics or an experienced chef looking to refine your skills, this class will meet all your traditional Neapolitan pizza-making needs. Join us and elevate your pizza game!

Meet The Instructor

Giulio Adriani

The Naples native Giulio Adriani is redefining Neapolitan Pizza in America. Giulio’s 30 years of experience began in his grandmother’s kitchen in Rome, though he later traveled to Naples to learn from master pizzaioli Gaetano Fazio and Antonio Starita.

Certified as an authentic Neapolitan Pizza Master by the Associazione Pizzaioli Napoletani, Giulio has owned and operated restaurants all over the world; in Italy, New York, Atlanta and most recently in Washington, DC.

A stickler for authenticity, he focuses on developing the perfect crust and insists that the mozzarella be handmade at each of his restaurants.

Widely considered one of the world’s leading pizza experts, Giulio travels across Europe, Asia, and Latin America to instruct aspiring pizzaioli and teach proper Neapolitan techniques.

Class Curriculum

8:30AM – Arrival at Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center – Light Breakfast
9:00AM – Introduction by Pizza University Founder and CEO Francesco Marra
9:30AM – Start Theory, Dough Chemistry
10:00AM – Dough Mixing (Pizza Napoletana)
11:00AM – Dough Stretching
12:00PM – Pizza Baking and Working Lunch
1:00PM – Dough Mixing (Neo-Neapolitan)
2:30PM – Understanding and Selecting Equipment
3:00PM – Partner Presentation
3:30PM – Q&A

8:30AM – Meet at Marra Forni Elkridge Facility – Marra Forni Factory Tour
9:30AM – Drive Back to Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center
10:00AM – Recap
10:30AM – Partner Presentation

12:00PM – Pizza Baking and Working Lunch
1:00PM – Theory and Dough Chemistry
2:00PM – Pizza Baking and Dough Evaluation
3:00PM – Dough Mixing ((NY-Style)
4:00PM – Q&A

9:00AM – Arrival at Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center – Light Breakfast
9:30AM – Recap
10:00AM – Dough Theory and Dough Chemistry
12:00PM – Pizza Baking and Working Lunch
1:00PM – Partner Presentation
1:30PM – Dough Stretching
2:00PM – Exam and Q&A
2:45PM – Interviews
3:15PM – Graduation and Certificate Presentation, Photos

You Will Receive

Pizza University Certificate

Chef Jacket and Apron

Networking Opportunities

Post-Class Support

Testimonials From Our Students

Play Video

Laura Hayes

“I’ve met a lot of talented people who will go on to do great things.”

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Omar Saleh

“Everyone in my class came with a passion for pizza and is leaving with an even greater passion!”

Past Students In Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Pizza University & Culinary Arts is located at 10310-A Southard Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

Distance from Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center: 22 Miles

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Distance from Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center: 30 Miles

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Distance from Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center: 40 Miles

Please check our Terms & Conditions, including our cancelation and refund policy.

We will provide our students with a chef jacket, an apron, a binder with course-related material, and blank sheets of paper and a pen to take notes.

Feel free to wear something comfortable. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Please email info@pizzauniversity.org to receive hotel information.

Sorry, this event is expired and no longer available.
Lowell Taylor
Lowell Taylor
2023-08-23
PHENOMINAL
Jennifer Mannelli
Jennifer Mannelli
2023-07-30
Emily Lucio
Emily Lucio
2023-07-30
This was so much fun. Highly recommend for a group
Mark Brown
Mark Brown
2023-07-18
I just finished Pizza University's 3-Day Intensive class “Bridging the World of Pizza from Italy to New York” taught by Maestro Leo Spizzirri, and it was truly something! The facility itself is top-notch, featuring a variety of high-end pizza ovens from Marra Forni, excellent kitchen space, an excellent support staff and all the pizza making materials you could ask for. Most of the students in my class were professional chefs and restaurant owners, but there were also a number of home cooks looking to up their pizza game. We also had a series of presentations and samplings from purveyors of pizza ingredients including manufacturers and importers of flours, tomato products, cheeses, and vinegars. It was something to sample half a dozen mozzarellas, several different ricottas, and a taste flight of more than a dozen Italian imported vinegars! But for me the real highlight was Master Pizzaiolo Chef Leo himself. He says if you were to cut him he'd bleed tomato sauce and mozzarella, and I believe it. He has a huge wealth of experience making pizza, and he really is great at explaining it -- he really wants you as his student to understand the fine details of the art of pizza making. We spent much of the three days just learning about how different flours, dough recipes and ingredients, oven temperatures, and dough mixing and handling techniques all come together to form a unique finished product. This course was pretty intense, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is seriously interested in pizza!
Cayton Flippen
Cayton Flippen
2023-07-12
Great experience and learned so much from Chef Leo to open the pizza shop the best way I know how! The learning of dough has been great!
David Elo
David Elo
2023-06-19
Great class, had tons of fun learning and refining my skills.
Lexington Vazquez
Lexington Vazquez
2023-06-17
So much in 3days but the way things are planned it's not overwhelming. Good team to help you and super informative for anyone who wants to learn about pizza or be in the business. Staff is also amazing super helpful, very informative. Looking to be back soon!
Jamie Twing
Jamie Twing
2023-06-15
What an incredible experience!!!! We just got back from such a fun and educational day battling coworkers during Pizza Wars! Great to see how far our skills improved over time. Chef Dave and the team were absolutely incredible. My entire team was sooo thankful and appreciative for the opportunity! Would love to visit again! Absolutely recommend!
ray N
ray N
2023-06-14
Great experience with a knowledgeable chef and staff at Marra Forni.
Grace Gilbertson
Grace Gilbertson
2023-05-12
What a fabulous educational experience! All 3 days were packed with information any pizza maker can use to start their journey or hone their existing crust.