History of Pizza

Ancient Rome and Greece pizza

600 BCE

Pizza originated as a ‘flatbread’ in Ancient Rome and Greece. They both ate baked flatbreads with toppings such as olive oil and spices which are now known as focaccias; however, they were mostly eaten by the poor.

Origin of the name 'Pizza'

997

The etymology of the word ‘pizza’ can be traced back to a Latin text from Gaeta in Southern Italy, 997 AD

Victorian Gold Rush

1850

Pizza first made its way to Australia in the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s and by the later 1890s, Italy's economic crisis led to thousands of Italians migrating to the shores of Australia.

First modern pizza (Margherita)

1880

The modern pizza was first seen in Naples, Italy at the end of the eighteenth century. It is said that the famous Margherita pizza was first invented by famous pizza chef, Raffaelle Esposito after he was commissioned to create a dish for Queen Margherita inspired by the Italian flag

Pizza integrated in to Australian food scene after WW2

1940

By the 1920s Pizza was still integrating its way into the Australian food scene however after WW2, when a second wave of mass Italian immigration occurred in the late 1940’s it became significantly more mainstream.

Toto's Pizza

1961

The first pizzeria in Australia was opened in 1961. It is called 'Toto's Pizzeria' and is located in Carlton, Melbourne.

Domino's pizza opens

1983

Dominos, arguably the most popular pizza chain in the world, was opened in 1983, now selling over 1 million pizzas daily.