In his comprehensive first book, legendary Pizza Czar Anthony Falco teaches you everything you need to know to make pizza wherever you are, drawing from his singular experience opening pizzerias around the globe.
If there’s one thing the entire world can agree on, it’s pizza. It just might be the world’s favorite food. In every climate, in every region, in every kind of kitchen, there’s pizza to be had, infused with local flavor. In this definitive book, filled with hacks, tips, and secret techniques never before shared, International Pizza Consultant Anthony Falco brings the world of pizza to your kitchen, wherever you are.
After eight years at the famous Brooklyn restaurant Roberta’s, culminating with his position as Pizza Czar, Falco pivoted from the New York City food scene to the world, traveling to Brazil, Colombia, Kuwait, Panama, Canada, Japan, India, Thailand, and all across the United States. His mission? To discover the secrets and spread the gospel of making the world’s favorite food better. Now the planet’s leading expert pizza consultant, he can make great pizza 8,000 feet above sea level in Bogotá or in subtropical India, and he can certainly help you do it at home.
An exhaustive resource for absolutely any pizza cook, teaching mastery of the classics and tricks of the trade as well as completely unique takes on styles and recipes from around the globe, Pizza Czar is here to help you make world-class pizza from anywhere on the map.
Important Note: For a correction to the extra-virgin olive oil quantity in the recipe for Thin & Crispy Dough on page 57, and for instructions on using this book without a sourdough starter, see https://www.abramsbooks.com/errata/craft-errata-pizza-czar/
For corrections to the recipes for Thin & Crispy Dough on page 57 and Garlic, Caramelized Onion, Anchovy, and Breadcrumb Sicilian Pizza page 124, and for instructions on using this book without a sourdough starter, see https://www.abramsbooks.com/errata/craft-errata-pizza-czar/
Praise
“The first time I bit into a slice of Anthony Falco’s pizza, I had a euphoric experience. I realized I had encountered the epitome of pizza perfection—this was the partiest that pizza could get. And then, I had another bite, and it happened all over again. I’ve never had a partier pizza in my life.”Andrew W.K.
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“The pizza community is small and tight-knit for being such a massive global industry—a quilt of misfits, dreamers, and screamers learning things by burning things. Sharing the struggle makes everything easier to digest, both the knowledge and, of course, the pizza. When you hear a name like Anthony Falco, you might figure this dude knows something about pizza, and you would be correct in that saucy assumption. Pizza Czar contains a journey and a whole lot of pizza, and both of those things of yours will be well served by Anthony’s bird’s eye perspective.”Chris Bianco, author of BIANCO and owner of Pizzeria Bianco
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“Anthony Falco, a name that just sounds like it was meant for a pizza guy. From making pizza in Brooklyn to South America or Dubai, he's got a passport stamped like nobody else in the pizza world. Anthony has literally changed pizza around the planet. His passion and amore are a gift for all who get to taste his work.”Anthony Mangieri, owner of Una Pizza Napoletana
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“Anthony isn’t a Czar, he’s a wizard of the highest power. He’s probably teaching pizza to some guy in Buenos Aires right now. Please take me with you.”Joe Beddia, author of PIZZA CAMP, owner of Pizzeria Beddia, never been nominated for a James Beard award
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“One of my most memorable pies was cooked by Anthony. His love and passion really show in the pies he puts out.”Mark Iacono, chef-owner of Lucali
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“I met Tony for the first time in 2015 in one of the most charming and glamorous places in the world, the Copacabana Palace hotel in Rio de Janeiro. We hit it off right away, after a few beers and an awesome Cacio e Pepe spaghetti. We had great talks about tattoos, food, music, and booze. It just felt like we had known each other for quite some time. In January 2017, Tony Cannoli (that’s what I call him while he calls me Benny the Butcher) was landing in São Paulo to kick off our partnership at Bráz Eléttrica Pizzeria. Today, in 2020, we have six stores and many more to come. Tony is a great guy, determined, reliable, earnest, smart, customer-driven, an excellent chef, creative, fast, straightforward and a very good friend. This book is phenomenal.”Benny Novak of São Paulo’s Braz Elettrica
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“Mr. Falco is a tremendous resource for all things pizza, and in this book he shares his vast knowledge for different styles, skills, and above all, his supreme enthusiasm and talent.”Sarah Minnick, chef/owner of Lovely's Fifty-Fifty
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“All the elements that have made Anthony Falco the greatest exponent of pizza are in this didactic and entertaining book. The passion and emotion he manages to convey in these pages are surprising. It will undoubtedly become a basic that any cooking lover or experienced chefs will want at home.”Miwi, chef/owner Pizza Félix and Belmondo
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