--- title: How to Create Game-Changing Gourmet Pizzas description: National Culinary Arts Month is the perfect time to step up your gourmet pizza game! We asked Menu for some gourmet pizza-making product inspiration, and this is how they responded…. image: https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Chef-Maurizio.jpg --- Contact Us Now! - [(301) 937-1003](tel:+13019371003) - [info@pizzauniversity.org](mailto:info@pizzauniversity.org) [![PizzaUniversity](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/HubspotLogoPizzaU.png?width=150&height=150&name=HubspotLogoPizzaU.png "PizzaUniversity")](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Home](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [About](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/about/) - [Pizza University Courses](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/pizzauu-courses/) - [Gallery](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/gallery/) - [Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Contact Us](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/contact-us/) - [Home](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) - [About](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/about/) - [Pizza University Courses](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/pizzauu-courses/) - [Gallery](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/gallery/) - [Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Contact Us](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/contact-us/) ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Chef-Maurizio.jpg) # How to Create Game-Changing Gourmet Pizzas Published by [Girish Saraswat](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/author/girish-saraswat) on Jul 12, 2019 7:11:44 AM National Culinary Arts Month is the perfect time to step up your gourmet pizza game! Here at the [Pizza University and Culinary Arts Center](http://www.pizzauniversity.org/), we pride ourselves on offering intensive pizza courses designed to guide restaurant owners, caterers, and other aspiring *pizzaiol*i to cultivate the absolute best pizza making practices. We believe that “la pizza unisce,” meaning that pizza unites people. In addition to offering courses and events featuring authentic Neapolitan, Neo-Neapolitan, New York, California, Chicago, and Detroit-Style pizzas…we also share secrets to great gourmet global pizzas as well.   The idea began when we hosted a Gourmet Global Pizza Party with [Les Dames d’Escoffier’s DC Chapter](http://www.lesdamesdc.org/). Attendees were enamored by the Peking Duck Pizza – a Chinese-inspired dish created [by Les Dames DC’s](http://www.lesdamesdc.org/) past President Janet Yu of [Hollywood East Cafe](https://www.hollywoodeastcafe.com/). Our very own [Giulio Adriani](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIbqxiX6AJY&feature=youtu.be) dazzled guests by topping his signature dough with thinly sliced smoked salmon, mascarpone cheese, and caviar. Our resident chef, [Felice Colucci](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) created scores of gourmet pizzas using exceptional products from [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu). [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) is a company known for its semi-finished, value-added Italian focused products which are made by chefs for chefs. [Our Chef Felice Colucci](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) enjoys using all of [Menu’s](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) products on his pizzas and especially appreciates their eggplant and grilled mushrooms for adding a delicious and nutritious touch to his creations. [Menu’s](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) corporate chef, Maurizio often consults with clientele on pizza ideations and recipe applications.  According to Dominick Solazzo, Business Development Coordinator for the Atalanta Corporation, [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) is a “one-stop shop for businesses developing a pantry.” Since their corporation represents 2/3 of the foodservice market in Italy, [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) has got providing premium, upscale, and artisanal ![Chef Maurizio 2](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Chef-Maurizio.jpg?width=456&height=302&name=Chef-Maurizio.jpg)   [Menu’s](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) corporate chef, Maurizio products to pizzerias and all types of restaurants down to a science. Dominick stated that what makes the collaboration between the [Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center](http://www.pizzauniversity.org/) and [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) so strong is how it has made “their products accessible to all of the partners of the Pizza University.”  ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PIC_3928-min.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=PIC_3928-min.jpg) Family owned and operated since 1932 outside of Modena, Italy, [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) consistently delivers ingredients which save time and ensure consistency without compromising quality. Their authentic ingredients are labeled Non-GMO, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, and BPA Free. One of our favorite features about [Menu’s](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) products is that they only source their ingredients once a year – when they are at their peak – in order to ensure the highest possible quality. We asked [Menu](https://www.menu.it/en/products/menu) for some gourmet pizza-making product inspiration, and this is how they responded….  ![menu tomato](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tomato.jpg?width=511&height=397&name=tomato.jpg) ### ***Top 5 Gourmet Pizza and Beyond Ingredients from Menu*** #### 1. *Dorati *– Semi Dried Cherry Tomatoes- FABI 2018 Award-Winner (Ata Item # 050787)  APPLICATION: Garnish Pizza, Burrata, Pasta dishes  ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-07-11-at-2_18_40-PM.png?width=923&height=539&name=Screen-Shot-2019-07-11-at-2_18_40-PM.png) #### 2. ***Fully Prepared Pizza Sauce***– Non-GMO tomatoes, seasonally harvested (Ata Item # 053642)  APPLICATION: Simple Base Sauce for Pizza  #### 3. ***Mushroom Truffle Cream*** (Ata Item # 055914)  APPLICATION: Great Base for Bold Flavor White Pizzas  #### 4. ***Porcini Boschetto*** – Sliced Porcini Mushrooms with Oil & Herbs  (Ata Item # 055913)  APPLICATION: Pizza, Pasta, Risotto, etc  #### ***5. Soleggiati*** – Semi “Sun Kissed” Tomatoes (Ata Item # 051388)  APPLICATION: Garnish Pizza, Burrata, Pasta dishes  ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-07-11-at-2_18_53-PM.png?width=925&height=658&name=Screen-Shot-2019-07-11-at-2_18_53-PM.png) For more mouthwatering ways to enjoy Menu’s products, see their recipes [here.](https://www.menu.it/en/recipes)   ![](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Acr59925214370561560484-1.jpg?width=831&height=841&name=Acr59925214370561560484-1.jpg) Tags: [Pizza University All You Need to Know](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/tag/pizza-university-all-you-need-to-know), [Pizza University News](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/tag/pizza-university-news), [Recipes](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/tag/recipes), [Pizza University Partners](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/tag/pizza-university-partners) [Back to Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [The Top 5 Tips to Become a Truffle Expert](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/the-top-5-tips-to-become-a-truffle-expert) As the popularity of gourmet pizzas continues to rise, we decided to dedicate a blog post to... [Read More](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/the-top-5-tips-to-become-a-truffle-expert) ## [A Conversation with Our Culinary Director](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/a-conversation-with-our-culinary-director) October is National Gourmet Adventures Month, and we’d like to introduce you to our new Culinary... [Read More](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/a-conversation-with-our-culinary-director) ## [Meet Our Resident Instructor](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/meet-our-resident-instructor) Chef/Pizzaiolo/Master Baker Felice Colucci is on a mission to give all of our students “the right... [Read More](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/meet-our-resident-instructor) Sign up to be notified when registration for upcoming courses becomes available and be added to our Pizza University Newsletter! **By Submitting this form I Give Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center Permission To Share The Information Collected With Its Partners. I Agree To The [TERMS AND CONDITIONS](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/student-enrollment-agreement-terms-and-conditions/) of Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center.** [![Pizza University](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/PizzaUniversity_October_2022/images/Pizza-U-Logo-rb-Copy.png?width=250&height=249&name=Pizza-U-Logo-rb-Copy.png "Pizza University")](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/) [(301) 937-1003](tel:+13019371003) [(301) 895-7990](tel:+13018957990) [info@pizzauniversity.org](mailto:info@pizzauniversity.org)   - - - - © 2023 [Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/). - [About](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/about/) - [Blog](https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/) - [Pizza University Courses](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/pizzauu-courses/) - [Discounts](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/discounts/) - [Media](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/media/) - [Gallery](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/gallery/) - [Culinary Workshops](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/culinary-workshop/) - [TERMS AND CONDITIONS](https://www.pizzauniversity.org/student-enrollment-agreement-terms-and-conditions/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Girish Saraswat", "url" : "https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/author/girish-saraswat" }, "dateModified" : "2022-10-26T18:00:22.822Z", "datePublished" : "2019-07-12T11:11:44.000Z", "headline" : "How to Create Game-Changing Gourmet Pizzas", "image" : [ "https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Chef-Maurizio.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/how-to-create-game-changing-gourmet-pizzas", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.pizzauniversity.org/hubfs/Pizza-University-Logo-1.png" }, "name" : "Marra Forni - Beltsville, MD" } } ```