The First Pizza Delivery In History Was To This Royal Address
In the wise words of Michael Scott, pizza is "the great equalizer" (via YouTube). After that declaration, the fictional boss from "The Office" went on to claim that the dish is loved by all regardless of such differences as socioeconomic status. Who knew Michael Scott would actually get something right?
The now world-renowned pizza pie originated in Naples, Italy, which was known for a large population of workers who had very little money and often lived in difficult circumstances (via History). At the time, pizza was cheap, could be eaten at any time of day, and was easily accessible. Workers on the go could buy it from street vendors. Most of these pizzas had simple ingredients such as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, or garlic.
But some people looked down on the pizzas that the working poor had come to value. "Judgmental Italian authors often called their eating habits 'disgusting,'" according to Carol Helstosky, author of "Pizza: A Global History." That might have changed in 1889 when one royal couple decided to forego their silver platters and feast as the commoners did.
A delivery fit for royalty and commoners alike
As the story goes, King Umberto I of Italy and Queen Margherita were visiting Naples when the queen decided she'd had enough of eating like a royal (via Food & Wine). The queen asked to eat like a commoner, and an assortment of pies was whipped up by the best-known pizza chef in town, Raffaele Esposito. Esposito proceeded to prove Michael Scott's right, centuries in advance. One of those creations was designed to bear the red, green, and white colors of the Italian flag. It was topped with mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomatoes. Now it's more commonly referred to as a Margherita pizza. Can you guess which one the queen liked the most?
The chef delivered the pizzas himself in what may have been the first pizza delivery in history. His food was praised in a letter, which read, "Most Esteemed Raffaele Esposito, I confirm to you that the three kinds of pizza you prepared for Her Majesty were found to be delicious." Italy Magazine credited the Margherita pie helping pizza become the widely beloved, arguably class-defying dish, it is today. Does anyone know if Queen Elizabeth eats pizza? It's food fit for a royal, after all.