Well, Pizza ……….do you know what?

It happened that, in June 1889, Raffaele Esposito, called Rafele o’ Pizzaiulo (in Neapolitan dialect, which means Raffaele the Pizzamaker), was invited, via official of the Royal Household in Naples, Italy, to the Royal Palace of Capodimonte. And so, Raffaele Esposito and his wife Maria Giovanna Brandi went to Capodimonte, on board of their donkey-drawn gig.

Raffaele prepared for the Royals three qualities of Pizza: the first, “white”, with olive oil, cheese and basil; the second with “cecenielle” (kind of newly born sardines); and finally, a Pizza with mozzarella, tomato and basil.

The Queen Margherita appreciated especially this kind of Pizza and Raffaele didn’t fail to pay his homage to the Queen, and gave that Pizza her name: that’s the way the most famous Pizza, the Pizza Margherita, was born in June 1889.

The “Office of Mouth” of the Royal House forwarded to this great pizzaiuolo a letter dated June 11, 1889:

Capodimonte, June 11, 1889

Dear Mr. Raffaele Esposito, I confirm that the three qualities of pizza you prepared for Her Majesty the Queen were found excellent.

Sincerely Yours,

Galli Camillo

Head of the Table of the Royal HouseHold