Dive deep into the craft of Roman pizza in this hands-on, 3-day intensive designed for culinary professionals and serious enthusiasts. Learn the history, science, and modern evolution behind three iconic Roman styles: Teglia Romana, Pizza alla Pala, and Tonda al Mattarello.
What You’ll Learn:
Each day focuses on a specific style with guided practice, technique breakdowns, and instructor-led demonstrations.
Participants will leave with refined skills, recipe resources, and a Certificate of Completion.
Vitangelo Recchia has been immersed in the pizza business since childhood, growing up in his family’s pizzerias established in 1976. A first-generation Italian-American, he graduated from The Pennsylvania State University before honing his craft at ALMA Scuola di Cucina Italiana – Gualtiero Marchesi in Parma, Italy, where he finished #1 in his class. A dual Certified Master Pizzaiolo with Accademia Pizzaioli and the Roman Pizza Academy, Vitangelo has represented the U.S. Pizza Team since 2023. In his first major competition, the 2023 Campionato Mondiale della Pizza, he placed 2nd in Teglia Romana, earning recognition as a top American competitor in Teglia three years in a row. Owner of Bella Napoli since 2014 and a Marra Forni Ambassador, Vitangelo continues learning, teaching, and honoring his heritage every day.
“Spizzirri knows pizza like Michelangelo knew marble.” – Pat Bruno Chicago Sun-Times food critic
Maestro Pizzaiolo Leo Spizzirri isn’t just a chef with some good pizza recipes in his repertoire. He’s obsessed with all things pizza and wants to share his knowledge with you!
Spizzirri’s love for pizza was fed by his earliest childhood memories. He spent hours watching, and assisting, his Mom and Nana Gilda in the kitchen while they created all kinds of traditional Italian dishes. They encouraged his love for food and tolerated his perfectionist manner as well as the messes that came with all his experimentation.
Since then, he’s gone on to be trained by Head Master Graziano Bertuzzo and 13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani and today he holds the distinction of being 1 of only 100 worldwide Master Instructors from the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli in Venice, Italy and he is a member of the World Pizza Champions, America’s #1 Pizza Team.
While his expertise has given Spizzirri the chance to travel the world, make regular appearances on television programs, and make pizzas for many celebrities, ultimately, he’s passionate about teaching people of all ages and all experience levels how to take their pizza craft to the next level.
His outer tattoo wearing, punk rock loving persona is unmatched by his technical knowledge and relaxed teaching style. He will encourage you to learn from your mistakes and inspire you to experiment on your own to become your own “Culinarian and Pizzoligist!”
It was a breakthrough for me! I definitely would recommend Pizza University to others!
I now have the confidence to produce great quality dough!
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.