Led by industry expert Mike Bausch, this hands-on workshop covers every critical aspect of launching and running a pizza business. Plus, renowned pizzaiolo Leo Spizzirri will teach attendees how to craft authentic New York-style pizza—from dough to slice.
You’ll learn how to:
• Build a brand that draws loyal guests
• Create a pro-forma and P&L to drive growth
• Execute a Basic Leadership Plan (BLP) to eliminate confusion
• Run sustainable, efficient operations
• Manage food and labor with scalable systems
• Build a high-morale, accountable team
• Deliver an experience that keeps guests coming back
This isn’t just about recipes—it’s a full-system mindset shift built for real-world restaurant life. Walk away with the tools, clarity, and confidence to grow without burning out.
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
Mike Bausch is owner Andolini’s Worldwide, the parent company for Andolini’s Pizzeria, named one of the “Top 10 Pizzerias in America” based solely on reviews by TripAdvisor, CNN, Buzzfeed, and USA Today.
Also 2-time author of both Amazon #1 Best Seller books “Unsliced: How to Stay Whole in the Pizzeria Industry” and “The Pursuit of Pizza, Recipes by The World Pizza Champions”. Andolini’s is five pizzerias, two food hall concepts, a food truck, and a fine dining restaurant.
Mike is a Two-Time Guinness Book World record holder, he is Owner and Creator of the Unsliced Restaurant System coaching program and in 2023 he was named Oklahoma Small Business Person of the year.
“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.