Calling all pizza-fans and slice-savourers – an ultra-special pizza experience has landed in the UK. A beloved pizza chain has partnered up with a master pizzaiolo from Italy to bring the world’s best pizza to our fine country, for the very first time.
Fatto a Mano have joined forces with Naples’ Master Pizzaiolo, Franco Pepe, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration. Franco Pepe has shared the recipe for his famed Margherita Sbagliata pizza with Fatto a Mano, who are now fastidiously recreating it in their restaurants using the same ingredients and method. But act fast if you want to try it – it’s only available until June 2!
Naturally, we had to head down and try it out for ourselves:
Strange though the collaboration may seem on the surface, the two share a dedication to authentic Neapolitan ingredients and culture. In fact, “Franco Pepe uses ingredients from the Alto Casertano area, which is home to many of the small-scale producers who supply Fatto a Mano.”
The pizza is available at all five of Fatto a Mano’s UK restaurants from April 29 – June 2. The pizzerias can be found throughout London, and in Brighton and Hove. For each pizza sold, a donation of £1.50 will be made to the La Scugnizzeria charity. Based in Scampia, Italy, the charity centre “provides local children with the opportunity to learn essential skills, from theatre and photography workshops to the art of pizza-making.”
Is it really the ‘World’s Best Pizza‘?
Well, let’s just go ahead and list all of the awards that the pizza, and Franco Pepe himself, have earned. Franco Pepe was the recipient of the “World’s Best Pizza Chef” title at the Best Chef Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He has also been recognised for his efforts to promote Italian culture and food. “In 2017 Franco won the l Cappello d’Oro award for promoting Campania culture through his dishes, while in 2019 and 2020 he received the distinction of Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.”
Meanwhile, the pizza itself, the Margherita Sbagliata, was named the Best Pizza in the World from 2016 to 2018. Franco Pepe was also featured in Netflix’s popular Chef’s Table: Pizza series. So, suffice it to say – this collaboration is kind of a big deal!
The Margherita Sbagliata is an unconventional take on the Margherita. (The pizza’s name does translate to ‘Mistaken Margherita’ after all!) The pizzas start with Fatto a Mano’s signature pizza dough, which is proofed for 24 hours. The dough is topped with mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil before being cooked at super-high temperatures. Uncooked tomato passata and basil oil are then added to the cooked pizza. These are kept raw to preserve the natural flavours of the ingredients.
Franco Pepe’s Margherita Sbagliata will be available at all five Fatto a Mano UK locations from April 29 until June 2. Find your nearest Fatto a Mano here.