Peter's Blog

Yes, it’s finally here! This new video class was shot with terrific production team from the Artisan Baking Center, where we feature techniques four of the pizzas from the recent Pizza Quest book, as well as doughs and other features and bonus content. For more details, here’s the link to the page with all the descriptions. https://artisanbakingcenter.com/p/pizza-quest?affcode=1233633_ma1m67e5 But wait — there’s more! If you decide to purchase the course by…Read More…

This has been a brutal year for so many of us and, with great sadness, we say farewell to the beloved “Dough Doctor,” Tom Lehmann, who succumbed to Covid last week. I had the privilege to sit on a few dough panels with Tom, who knew more about dough science than all of us combined, and who took such pleasure in sharing his knowledge with the world. He is the…Read More…

It is with great sadness that I report on the passing of Shawn Randazzo, who we interviewed here on Pizza Talk just a few months ago. Shawn, as we discussed during the interview, was in treatment for glioblastoma brain cancer and had high hopes for a full recovery, but it was not to be. Our hearts are broken for him and for his family, wife Kerri,, and their four children….Read More…

Hi Everyone, Next Friday, September 18th, I’ll be doing an online pizza class, featuring my Breville Pizzaiolo Oven. I’ll be making the cover pizza from my book, “Perfect Pan Pizza,”  (the Pepperoni Deluxe). I’ll also be showing how to make the high hydration dough used throughout the book and how to do my signature “embedded cheese” technique (a game-changer, for sure!), as well as answering any questions. Scott Wiener will…Read More…

Note from Peter: I met Mike Kurtz at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas a couple of years ago and became fascinated with the exponential growth of the product he created, Mike’s Hot Honey, especially when I served as a judge at pizza competitions and noticed how many competitors were using it on their pizzas. As a specialty product, it seemingly tipped over into ubiquity rather suddenly. When someone creates anything…Read More…

Hi Everyone, If you haven’t already registered for the wonderful Fermentology series created by NC State University, here’s the link for free registration as well as both the Zoom and Livestream info. The sessions are only 20 minutes long (like a TED Talk), and the weekly topics are outlined in this link: https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/news/fermentology-mini-seminars/ . If you want to start a sourdough starter and join us for a special sensory session…Read More…

Note from Peter: I received the following letter from “B,” a serious home baker and pizza maker in which she raised some good questions about flour and commented on how important this baking activity has become for her and her family. I think many of you will relate to her story. With permission, here’s a portion of her letter (and, I encourage you all to write to me at Peter@pizzaquest.com…Read More…

Hey Everybody, If you see this today through Thursday, go to virtualpizzaparty.com  asap and join up.  It’s a three day “web-a-thon” featuring all sorts of pizza superstars doing interviews, demos, chat, you name it.  Chris Bianco is scheduled to appear at 5 PM today (Monday). When you go to the site it will give you the schedule of speakers and presenters. I’m scheduled to go on at 3 PM Eastern…Read More…

Hi Everyone, What can one say at a time like this? If you are reading this I hope it’s not just because you have (and not by choice) too much time on your hands. I wish it weren’t so. For me, as perhaps it’s been for you, it’s been a time of deepened reflection. I’d like to try to use my Peter’s Blog space during this and upcoming posts, to…Read More…

                  Some of you have seen my video presentation (or witnessed it live at last year’s Pizza Expo and also at the Atlantic City Pizza and Pasta Show East, in which I tell the story of Mama’s Pizzeria and Cheese Steaks, my childhood go-to place for the best pizza and cheese steaks in Philadelphia. For those who haven’t heard my talk, here…Read More…