Kamil Perry
Pizza is an Italian dish that has gained popularity worldwide. It is a flatbread dish that typically consists of a flat base of leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomato, cheese, and other ingredients. While pizza is believed to have originated in Italy, the 99-cheese pizza was created in Melbourne, Australia, by Johnny di Francesco, who runs the Melbourne pizzeria 400 Gradi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Creator | Johnny Di Francesco |
| Creator's Title | World's best pizza chef; Chef-owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne; Resident pie pro |
| Number of Cheeses | 99 |
| Number of Cheeses Melted | 94 |
| Number of Cheeses Topped | 5 |
| Cheese Melted | Gorgonzola, pecorino, Taleggio, Swiss, and 90 others |
| Cheese Topped | Fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura |
| Inspiration | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The pizza was created by Johnny Di Francesco
The 99-cheese pizza was created by Johnny Di Francesco, the world's best Neapolitan pizza maker and chef-owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne. Di Francesco was inspired to create the pizza by the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, in which the turtles declare that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility." Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong and, after seven attempts, created a pizza with a base of 94 cheeses melted together, topped with five fresh cheeses: fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura.
The 99-cheese pizza is not only a tribute to one of Di Francesco's favorite movies but also an advertising gimmick to promote the movie's DVD/Blu-Ray release. Di Francesco traveled to Sydney to present the pizza to Paramount, who paid for his travel and accommodations. The pizza was also sold at Di Francesco's restaurant, where it received rave reviews from customers and bloggers alike.
Creating the 99-cheese pizza was no easy feat. Di Francesco had to experiment with different techniques to get the right texture and flavor. He learned that the cheeses needed to be melted down to avoid stringiness. The final product, according to Di Francesco, offers a burst of different flavors with each bite, from the slight hint of pecorino to the softness of raspadura.
The 99-cheese pizza is a testament to Di Francesco's creativity and skill as a pizza maker. It showcases his ability to innovate within the traditional realm of pizza-making, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the culinary world. The pizza's success and popularity also highlight Di Francesco's understanding of flavor combinations and his expertise in crafting pizzas that are both unique and delicious.
Totino's Pizza Rolls: Are They a Source of Iron?
You may want to see also
It was inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The 99-cheese pizza was created in Australia, at the Melbourne restaurant 400 Gradi. It was the brainchild of Johnny di Francesco, the world's best Neapolitan pizza maker and owner of 400 Gradi. Di Francesco created the pizza as an homage to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who, in one of his favourite movies, deemed a 99-cheese pizza a "culinary impossibility".
The pizza, dubbed the Novantanove Formaggio, was crafted with 94 different cheeses melted into a "super cheese" base. This was topped with five fresh cheeses: fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura. The result was a white pie that, according to one source, merited at least one epic poem.
The 99-cheese pizza was not just a culinary feat, but also an advertising gimmick. It was created to promote the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie's DVD and Blu-ray release. Di Francesco, who grew up watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, was excited to be involved in the project. He said:
> "I thought, 'I can do that.' [...] You had to melt down the cheeses so that you wouldn't get stringiness. [...] It's amazing how [...] you get little bursts of flavors [...] and then you taste the beautiful gorgonzola and then the softness of the raspadura. It's amazing how if you really concentrate, you get those flavors come out at various times."
The pizza proved popular, with more than 100 pies sold in two hours at Di Francesco's restaurant.
Cheese Pizza Left Out: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
It was made at 400 Gradi in Melbourne
The 99-cheese pizza was created in Australia. It was made at 400 Gradi in Melbourne, a pizzeria owned by Johnny di Francesco, the world's best Neapolitan pizza maker. Di Francesco crafted the pizza, officially named the Novantanove Formaggio, in honour of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The pizza was inspired by a line in the 2014 movie in which the turtles declare that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility".
Di Francesco set out to prove the turtles wrong. He said:
> I thought, 'I can do that.'
The pizza took seven attempts to perfect. To make it, Di Francesco melted down 94 different cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, Taleggio, and Swiss, into a super cheese base. He then topped the base with five fresh cheeses: buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, fior di latte, ricotta, and raspadura.
The pizza was sold for AU$23 (about US$19) at 400 Gradi, where it proved popular, with more than 100 pies sold in two hours.
Deep-Dish Pizzas: More Dough, Less Cheese?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was made with 94 cheeses melted into a super cheese
The 99-cheese pizza was created by Johnny di Francesco, the world's best Neapolitan pizza maker and chef-owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne, Australia. Di Francesco's creation was inspired by the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, in which the turtles declare that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility." Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong and, after seven attempts, created a pizza with 99 different cheeses.
To make the pizza, Di Francesco started by melting 94 cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, and Taleggio, into what he calls a "super cheese." This super cheese base was then spread directly on top of the crust. The remaining five cheeses—fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura—were scattered on top.
Di Francesco's unique recipe and the resulting flavor of the pizza received rave reviews. A blogger for Guardian Australia wrote, "Di Francesco has created a balanced and surprisingly nuanced pizza... Crucially, I didn't walk away from Gradi feeling as though I had just eaten 99 cheeses. The topping is generous without being excessive, and because the super cheese is so concentrated, little is actually needed. And the bases are delectably light."
The 99-cheese pizza was initially created as an advertising gimmick to promote the DVD/Blu-ray release of the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. However, due to its popularity, customers have requested that it be added to the menu at 400 Gradi.
The Perfect Pizza: Cheese Placement for Topping Success
You may want to see also
The remaining 5 cheeses were sprinkled on top
The 99-cheese pizza was created by Johnny Di Francesco, the world's best Neapolitan pizza maker and chef-owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne, Australia. The pizza was inspired by the 2014 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 seven attempts, he succeeded.
To make the pizza, Di Francesco melted 94 different cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, and taleggio, into a super cheese base. This base was then spread directly on top of the crust. The remaining five cheeses—fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura—were then sprinkled on top.
Each cheese brought its own unique flavour to the pizza. For example, di Francesco noted how, while eating the pizza, one would first taste the pecorino, followed by the gorgonzola, and then the softness of the raspadura. He was surprised by how the flavours came out at different times, despite the pizza being made from a blend of 99 cheeses.
The 99-cheese pizza was initially created as a promotional gimmick for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie's DVD/Blu-Ray release. However, due to its popularity, customers have asked for it to return to the menu. The pizza sold out more than 100 pies in two hours, with people raving about its taste.
Pizza Hut's Ham and Cheese Sandwich: A Tasty Treat?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The 99-cheese pizza was created in Australia.
The pizza was created by Johnny Di Francesco, the chef-owner of 400 Gradi in Melbourne.
Di Francesco melted 94 different cheeses, including gorgonzola, pecorino, and Taleggio, into a super cheese base. The remaining five cheeses—fior di latte, buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese, ricotta, and shaved raspadura—were scattered on top.
Di Francesco created the pizza as a tribute to one of his favorite movies, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." In the movie, the turtles claim that a 99-cheese pizza is a "culinary impossibility," and Di Francesco set out to prove them wrong.
The pizza was sold for $23 Australian dollars, or about $19 American dollars.
