National Pizza Day

National Pizza Day History

National Pizza Day celebrates one of the world's favourite meals, pizza. This observance is a true testament to the global popularity of pizza, a dish that originated in Italy, but has evolved with diverse versions in many other countries. It’s a celebration not only of the delightful combination of cheese, dough, and sauce, but also of the cultural significance, history, and gastronomic artistry associated with pizza.

Despite its Italian roots, pizza has carved its place into British cuisine, with its own unique adaptations such as the Margherita with cheddar, the Full English Breakfast pizza, or the Scotch Bonnet chilli pizza. National Pizza Day taps into the love Britons have for this food, encouraging them to consider pizza's rich culinary history as well as its modern incarnations in the United Kingdom. The first American-style pizza shop, known as Pizzaland, was established in the UK in the 1960s and this paved the way for the growth of British pizza culture that we see celebrated on National Pizza Day today.

In the United Kingdom, National Pizza Day is typically observed with enthusiasm. Special deals and discounts in pizza outlets are common occurrences, with several restaurants offering unique pizza recipes for the event. These range from traditional Neapolitan style thin-crust pizzas to newer innovative creations. Social media is also awash with posts dedicated to this day, using the hashtag #NationalPizzaDay. In the United Kingdom, National Pizza Day falls on the same day as the United States, being celebrated on February 9th each year. It's a time when people across the UK celebrate their love for pizza in all its forms, turning a normal meal into a gastronomic celebration.

Facts & quotes about National Pizza Day

• The world's largest pizza, named Ottavia, was made on December 13, 2012 in Rome, Italy. With a surface are of 1,261.65 m², the pizza was made by Dovilio Nardi, Andrea Mannocchi, Marco Nardi, Matteo Nardi and Matteo Giannotte. To spread a message of good health, the pizza was made entirely gluten-free.
• If I could eat whatever I wanted every day, I would have Domino's pizza with pasta carbonara inside every slice. And at night, I would have Neapolitan ice cream until I felt absolutely toxic. And then I would drift off telling myself, 'It's going to be O.K... It's going to be O.K. you're going to train in the morning' - Robert Downey, Jr., Actor
• Pizza is one of the most popular types of fast food worldwide. On average, Americans consume 350 slices of pizza per second.
• The growth of pizza in the UK can be traced back to the 1960s, when the first pizzerias opened their doors. Pizzas were initially served as a novelty item before they became more widely available and appreciated.
• The world's most expensive pizza was created by a Glasgow-based pizzeria named Domenico Crolla in 2006. The pizza, named the Pizza Royale 007, featured toppings such as caviar, lobster, 24-carat gold flakes, and champagne-soaked smoked salmon, with a price tag of £2,150.

In the News and Trending in the UK for National Pizza Day

Top things to do in the UK for National Pizza Day

• Visit your favorite pizzeria. Most pizzerias will offer discounts and specials to celebrate National Pizza Day.
• Try a pizza with unique toppings. Here are some of our favorites:
  1) Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza
  2) Beer Battered Fried Calamari Pizza
  3) Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza
  4) Fried Chicken Pizza
  5) Brown Butter Lobster and Spinach Pizza with Bacon and Fontina
• Create a Pizza Crawl: Along the lines of a pub crawl, map out several popular pizza spots and try a slice (or two) from each. This could be within one city, or for a fun travel adventure, you could expand it to several cities!
• Frankie & Benny's National Pizza Day Celebration: This popular Italian-American restaurant chain usually offers discounts or special deals on pizzas to mark the event.