Frederic Melton
The 99-cheese pizza is indeed real. In 2014, world-renowned pizza chef Johnny Di Francesco created a pizza with 99 different types of cheese at his restaurant, 400 Gradi, in Melbourne, Australia. The pizza was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in which the turtles claim that a 99-cheese pizza is a culinary impossibility. Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong and, after several attempts, successfully created the pizza by melting 94 different cheeses into a single block and topping it with five fresh cheeses. The pizza received attention from media outlets and was described as having a surprisingly nuanced flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cheeses | 99 |
| Name of Pizza | 99-Cheese 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Pizza |
| Name of Chef | Johnny Di Francesco |
| Number of Pizzas Sold | More than 100 |
| Price | $23 Australian (about $19 American) |
| Time Taken to Make | Nearly an hour |
| Base | Created by melting 94 different cheeses and chilling them into a single block |
| Toppings | Buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura |
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What You'll Learn
- The 99-cheese pizza was made by world-renowned pizza chef, Johnny Di Francesco
- It was created in Melbourne, Australia, at Di Francesco's restaurant, 400 Gradi
- The pizza was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie
- The pizza base is made by melting 94 different cheeses into a single block
- The pizza was priced at $23 Australian dollars, or about $19 USD
The 99-cheese pizza was made by world-renowned pizza chef, Johnny Di Francesco
The 99-cheese pizza, once believed to be a "culinary impossibility", was made a reality by world-renowned pizza chef, Johnny Di Francesco. Di Francesco, inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, set out to prove the turtles wrong. The pizza was crafted at Di Francesco's restaurant, 400 Gradi in Melbourne, and sold for $23 Australian dollars (approximately $19 American).
To create the pizza, Di Francesco melted 94 different types of cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, taleggio, Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, and cottage cheese, into a single block. This block was then chilled and used as the pizza base. The base was topped with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura, bringing the total number of cheeses to 99.
Di Francesco's creation took nearly an hour to make and offered a surprisingly nuanced taste experience. Customers who tried the pizza reported experiencing different bursts of flavour as they ate, with the various cheeses coming through at different stages. Despite the labour-intensive process, the 99-cheese pizza was a hit, selling more than 100 pies in just two hours.
The world-renowned pizza chef and owner of 400 Gradi, Johnny Di Francesco, is known for his award-winning pizzas. He holds the title of World Champion Pizza Maker, awarded by the World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy, and was also named the maker of the World's Best Margherita Pizza in 2014. With his innovative 99-cheese pizza, Di Francesco continues to push the boundaries of pizza-making, challenging what was once thought to be impossible.
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It was created in Melbourne, Australia, at Di Francesco's restaurant, 400 Gradi
The 99-cheese pizza is indeed real and was created in Melbourne, Australia, at Di Francesco's restaurant, 400 Gradi. Chef Johnny Di Francesco crafted the pizza, which was dubbed "Novantanove Formaggio" or "99-cheese pizza," and it quickly gained attention as a unique and indulgent creation.
Di Francesco was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie where the turtles declare that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility." Determined to prove them wrong, he set out to create a pizza with 99 different cheeses. This labour-intensive process involved melting down 94 cheeses, including Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, gorgonzola, pecorino, Taleggio, and cottage cheese, into a single block. This block was then chilled and shredded onto a pizza base, and finally topped with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura, bringing the total to 99 cheeses.
The 99-cheese pizza made its debut at 400 Gradi in Melbourne on a Saturday, selling over 100 pies in just two hours. It was priced at $23 Australian dollars, or about $19 USD, and customers described the taste as "surprisingly nuanced," with different flavours coming through at various stages of eating. Despite its popularity, the pizza was always intended as a special treat and not a permanent menu item due to the time and effort required to create it.
The creation of the 99-cheese pizza by Di Francesco showcases his passion for pushing culinary boundaries and his expertise in the art of pizza-making. It has left an impact on the culinary world, challenging perceptions and exciting cheese enthusiasts worldwide. The idea of a pizza with so many cheeses might have started as a fictional reference, but it has now become a delicious reality, thanks to the dedication and creativity of Chef Johnny Di Francesco and his team at 400 Gradi in Melbourne, Australia.
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The pizza was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie
The 99-cheese pizza is indeed real and was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. In the film, the turtles discuss a pizza with 99 different cheeses, with Donatello claiming it to be a "culinary impossibility". Chef Johnny Di Francesco decided to prove them wrong and set out to create the 99-cheese pizza.
Di Francesco, the world's best pizza chef and owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne, crafted the pizza by melting 94 different cheeses, including Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, and cottage cheese, into a super cheese base. This base was then topped with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura, bringing the total to 99 cheeses.
The process of creating the pizza was not without its challenges, as Di Francesco had to experiment with different techniques and cheese combinations to achieve the right texture and flavor. He discovered that certain cheeses, such as mozzarella, could not be used due to their tendency to become stringy when melted. The final product, however, proved to be a success, with customers praising the nuanced flavors and surprising taste combinations.
The 99-cheese pizza was sold for $23 Australian dollars (approximately $19 USD) and was a hit, with over 100 pies sold in just two hours. While it was initially a special offering, customers have expressed their desire to see it return to the menu. The pizza's creation garnered attention and sparked discussions about the culinary possibilities inspired by pop culture references.
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The pizza base is made by melting 94 different cheeses into a single block
The 99-cheese pizza is indeed a reality, and it was crafted by world-renowned pizza chef, Di Francesco. The pizza was inspired by a line in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie where the turtles claim that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility." Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong and created a pizza with 99 different cheeses.
The pizza base, in particular, is a testament to Di Francesco's creativity and expertise. To make the base, he melted 94 different cheeses into a single block. This process involved carefully selecting and melting cheeses such as gorgonzola, pecorino, Taleggio, Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, and cottage cheese. The melted cheese mixture was then chilled to form a solid block, which served as the foundation of the pizza.
Creating the perfect blend of 94 cheeses for the base required trial and error. Di Francesco shared that it took him six attempts to achieve the right texture and flavor profile. One of the key challenges was avoiding stringiness, which required melting the cheeses at the right temperature and selecting suitable varieties. For example, mozzarella was not used in the base due to its tendency for curds to break down during melting.
The process of crafting the pizza base involved melting the cheeses in a large pot and then using a blast chiller to solidify the mixture into a block. This "super cheese" block was then sliced and shredded, creating a unique and flavorful foundation for the pizza. The base was then topped with five fresh cheeses to reach the total of 99 cheeses. These final toppings included buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura.
The result of Di Francesco's innovative creation was a pizza that offered a surprising nuance of flavors. Each bite provided a different experience, with hints of pecorino, gorgonzola, and raspadura coming through at different stages of the dining journey. The 99-cheese pizza was not just a novelty but a culinary adventure, showcasing the complexity and versatility that can be achieved with various cheese combinations.
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The pizza was priced at $23 Australian dollars, or about $19 USD
The 99-cheese pizza, inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, was created by world-renowned pizza chef Johnny Di Francesco and sold at his restaurant, 400 Gradi in Melbourne, for $23 Australian dollars, or about $19 USD. Di Francesco crafted the pizza by melting 94 different cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, taleggio, Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, and cottage cheese, into a single block. This block was then chilled and used as the pizza base, topped with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura, bringing the total to 99 cheeses.
The pizza was priced at $23 Australian dollars, or approximately $19 USD, and more than 100 pies were sold in just two hours. The labor-intensive pizza was considered a steal at this price, although it took nearly an hour to make, so it was not expected to become a regular menu item. The creation of the 99-cheese pizza proved that a concept deemed a "culinary impossibility" in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie could be achieved.
The unique pizza generated a lot of interest, with some customers even requesting its return to the menu. The combination of 99 cheeses created a surprisingly nuanced flavor profile, with different cheeses shining through at various stages of the dining experience. This pizza challenged the notion that a pizza with so many cheeses would be overwhelming or unappetizing, and instead, it received positive feedback from those who had the chance to taste it.
The pricing of the 99-cheese pizza at $23 Australian dollars, or approximately $19 USD, made it accessible to customers who were eager to try this innovative creation. The success of the pizza highlights the appeal of unique and creative culinary experiences, especially when they are linked to popular culture, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The reasonable pricing contributed to the pizza's popularity, allowing many people to indulge in this cheesy treat without breaking the bank.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the 99-cheese pizza is real and was created by world-renowned pizza chef, Johnny Di Francesco.
The pizza was made at Di Francesco's restaurant, 400 Gradi, in Melbourne, Australia.
To create the pizza base, Di Francesco melted 94 different types of cheese, including gorgonzola, pecorino, taleggio, Swiss cheese, triple cream brie, and cottage cheese. The pizza was then topped with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura.
The pizza was sold for $23 Australian Dollars, which is approximately $19 American Dollars.
The 99-cheese pizza was inspired by a line in the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie, where the turtles refer to a 99-cheese pizza as a “culinary impossibility.” Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong and created the pizza as a fun special.
