3-Day Intensive Class
Pizza Trilogy: Crafting Neo-Neapolitan, NY, and Detroit Crusts
- August 11-13, 2025
- 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Eastern Time)
- Class Capacity: 18 seats
- 10310 Southard Drive, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, United States
Class Overview
Join us and Christy Alia and Pizza Champion Nicole Bean in this 3-day masterclass that explores three iconic pizza styles: Neo-Neapolitan with an artisanal twist, New York-style, and Detroit-style. Learn to craft unique pizzas by experimenting with different techniques, flours, preferments, and seasonal toppings. Start with Neo-Neapolitan pizza, focusing on light, flavorful doughs along with seasonal ingredients. Move on to New York-style, where the focus is on perfecting the 16” pie with a crispy, chewy crust. Next, dive into Detroit-Style pizza, creating a lighter dough that maintains the signature airy, crispy edges and rich interior. The class will emphasize dough development with Poolish, with an option to explore sourdough as an advanced technique. Throughout, instructors will share insights into flour types and recipe development, helping to elevate your pizza-making skills. By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to craft Neo-Neapolitan, New York-style, and Detroit-Style pizzas with an artisanal touch.
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 – Instructor Intro and Course Overview
10:00AM – Pizza Dough Science & Mathematics
10:30AM – Neapolitan Dough Making (Direct & Biga)
12:00PM – Lunch Break
12:30PM – American Dough Making
2:00PM – Pizza Business Basics
2:45PM – Understanding Equipment
3:30PM – Scaling and Rolling Neapolitan Dough
4:00PM – Q&A
8:30AM – Meet at Marra Forni Elkridge Facility – Marra Forni Factory Tour
9:30AM – Drive Back to Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center
10:30AM – Neapolitan Oven Technique
11:15AM – Tomato Cutting
12:00PM – Break
12:15PM – Neapolitan Pizza/Lunch
2:00PM – Partner’s Presentation
2:30PM – Sauce Production
4:00PM – Q&A
8:30AM – Arrival at Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center – Light Breakfast
9:00AM – Final Day Goals Discussion
9:30AM – Cheese Selection
10:00AM – HISTORY: from Naples to America
11:00AM – Partner Presentation
11:30AM – American Pizza Making/Lunch
3:00PM – Final Exam
3:30PM – Certificate Presentation, Photos, Interviews
Meet Your Instructor
Christy Alia
Christy Alia, a New York City native and seasoned pizzaiola, finds joy in how great pizza and bread bring people together. Her passion for pizza-making was sparked by childhood memories of helping her Sicilian grandfather with dough, which inspired her to create new recipes, including sourdough versions of his classics. Christy currently teaches classes, develops recipes, and consults for websites, businesses, and cookbooks. She recently assisted Alexandra Stafford with her New York Times Best-Selling cookbook Pizza Night.
In 2020, Christy launched her Instagram account @RealCleverFood to document her pizza journey and share tutorials that inspire a growing community of pizza enthusiasts. Her dedication to both the craft and the community led her to found #WomensPizzaMonth in March 2021, an initiative that celebrates women in the pizza industry and unites pizza makers worldwide.
Christy’s commitment to giving back is reflected in the fundraisers she organizes yearly, supporting causes that align with her values. As a proud Gozney Ambassador, East Coast Collective Leader, and active member of the pizza community, she continues to bring people together through the art of dough, toppings, classes, community gatherings, and catering.
You Will Receive
Pizza University Certificate
Chef Jacket and Apron
Networking Opportunities
Post-Class Support
Testimonials From Our Students
Giuseppe Mastroeli
It was a breakthrough for me! I definitely would recommend Pizza University to others!
Matthew Rodriquez
I now have the confidence to produce great quality dough!
Previous 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.