MASTER THE ART OF AUTHENTIC ITALIAN PIZZA
Learn from Salvatore's master chefs in hands-on workshops across Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Create your own authentic Italian pizzas and take home the secrets of traditional pizza making.
At Salvatore, we believe that pizza making is more than just a culinary skill—it's an art form passed down through generations of Italian masters. Our exclusive pizza making workshops offer you the unique opportunity to learn authentic techniques directly from our experienced chefs who have perfected their craft over decades in traditional Italian pizzerias.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an enthusiastic home cook looking to refine your skills, our hands-on classes provide comprehensive instruction in every aspect of traditional pizza making. From understanding the science behind perfect dough fermentation to mastering the art of sauce preparation and achieving that coveted wood-fired crust, you'll gain invaluable knowledge that will transform your pizza-making abilities forever.
Our workshops are designed to be interactive, engaging, and most importantly, fun. You'll work alongside fellow pizza enthusiasts in our professional kitchens, equipped with authentic Italian tools and ingredients. By the end of each session, you'll not only take home your own handmade pizzas but also detailed recipe cards and the confidence to recreate restaurant-quality pizzas in your own kitchen.
THE FOUNDATION: PERFECT DOUGH PREPARATION
The secret to exceptional pizza begins with the dough. In our workshops, you'll learn the precise ratios of flour, water, yeast, and salt that create the perfect foundation for authentic Italian pizza. Our master chefs will guide you through the entire process, explaining the science behind gluten development and fermentation that gives pizza dough its characteristic texture and flavor.
You'll discover the importance of using high-quality Italian "00" flour and learn traditional kneading techniques that have been perfected over centuries. We'll teach you how to recognize when your dough has reached the ideal consistency and elasticity, and you'll understand the crucial role that proper fermentation time plays in developing complex flavors and achieving that perfect chewy-yet-crispy crust.
Our instructors will demonstrate professional hand-stretching techniques, showing you how to transform a ball of dough into a perfectly round pizza base without using a rolling pin. You'll practice these techniques yourself, learning how to maintain an even thickness while creating that signature raised edge that holds your toppings perfectly. We'll also cover troubleshooting common dough problems and share tips for preparing dough at home, including proper storage and fermentation schedules.
Understanding dough preparation is fundamental to pizza making success, and by the end of this section of our workshop, you'll have the confidence and knowledge to create restaurant-quality pizza dough consistently in your own kitchen.
AUTHENTIC SAUCE RECIPES AND TOPPING TECHNIQUES
The sauce is the soul of any great pizza, and at Salvatore, we take our sauce recipes seriously. During our workshops, you'll learn to prepare traditional Italian tomato sauce using authentic San Marzano tomatoes, the gold standard for pizza sauce. Our chefs will reveal the secret blend of herbs and seasonings that gives our sauce its distinctive flavor, and you'll understand why simplicity is often the key to the most delicious results.
We'll explore different sauce variations, from classic marinara to rich tomato cream sauces, and even white pizza bases using garlic-infused olive oil. You'll learn the proper consistency for pizza sauce and discover why less is often more when it comes to sauce application. Our instructors will demonstrate the correct technique for spreading sauce evenly across your pizza base, ensuring every bite delivers perfect flavor balance.
Topping selection and placement is an art form in itself, and we'll teach you the principles that separate amateur pizzas from professional creations. You'll learn about ingredient quality, from selecting the finest buffalo mozzarella to choosing the perfect cured meats and fresh vegetables. Our chefs will explain the importance of topping distribution, moisture content management, and the strategic layering that ensures every ingredient cooks perfectly without making your pizza soggy.
We'll cover classic combinations like Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Diavola, while also encouraging creativity and experimentation. You'll understand which ingredients pair well together and learn professional techniques for preparing toppings, such as pre-cooking certain vegetables or properly slicing meats to ensure optimal texture and flavor. By mastering these sauce and topping techniques, you'll be able to create pizzas that rival those from the finest Italian pizzerias.
Fresh Ingredients
Learn to select and prepare the highest quality ingredients for authentic Italian flavor.
Perfect Balance
Master the art of balancing flavors and textures for harmonious pizza perfection.
Creative Freedom
Develop your own signature combinations while respecting traditional techniques.
MASTERING THE WOOD-FIRED OVEN
The wood-fired oven is the heart of authentic Italian pizza making, and learning to work with this traditional cooking method is one of the most exciting aspects of our workshops. Our professional-grade ovens reach temperatures of 800-900°F, creating the intense heat necessary for achieving that characteristic leopard-spotted crust and perfectly melted toppings in just 90 seconds.
You'll learn how to read the oven's temperature zones, understanding where to place your pizza for optimal cooking. Our instructors will teach you the proper technique for using a pizza peel, including the crucial skill of sliding your pizza onto the oven floor without disturbing your carefully arranged toppings. You'll discover the importance of rotation timing and learn to recognize the visual cues that indicate when your pizza is perfectly cooked.
We'll explain the science behind wood-fired cooking, including how the intense radiant heat from the dome and the conductive heat from the oven floor work together to create pizza perfection. You'll understand why wood-fired ovens produce superior results compared to conventional ovens and learn techniques for adapting these principles to home cooking with standard kitchen equipment.
Safety is paramount when working with high-temperature ovens, and our experienced instructors will ensure you're comfortable and confident throughout the cooking process. You'll practice loading and retrieving pizzas under expert supervision, gaining the skills and confidence to handle these powerful cooking tools like a professional pizzaiolo.
WORKSHOP OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE
At Salvatore, we understand that everyone has different learning preferences and schedules, which is why we offer a variety of workshop formats to suit your needs. Our individual classes provide personalized attention and one-on-one instruction from our master chefs, perfect for those who want to dive deep into specific techniques or prefer a more focused learning environment. These sessions allow you to work at your own pace and ask detailed questions about every aspect of the pizza-making process.
For couples, our workshops offer a unique and memorable date experience. Working together to create delicious pizzas provides a fun, interactive activity that's perfect for anniversaries, special occasions, or simply spending quality time together. You'll share a workstation, collaborate on your creations, and enjoy the fruits of your labor in our comfortable dining area. Many couples tell us that our pizza-making workshops have become one of their favorite shared experiences.
Group workshops are ideal for corporate team-building events, birthday celebrations, or gatherings of friends who share a passion for food. These sessions accommodate up to 12 participants and foster a lively, social atmosphere where everyone can learn together, share tips, and enjoy friendly competition. Our group workshops include all necessary ingredients and equipment, and we can customize the experience to match your group's interests and skill levels.
Each workshop session runs for approximately three hours and includes comprehensive instruction in all aspects of pizza making, from dough preparation through final cooking. You'll create multiple pizzas during the class, experimenting with different styles and topping combinations. At the end of each session, you'll take home your handmade pizzas (carefully packaged for transport), detailed recipe cards with all the techniques you've learned, and a certificate of completion from Salvatore's Pizza Academy.
What You'll Take Home
- Your own handmade pizzas
- Detailed recipe cards
- Professional techniques guide
- Certificate of completion
- Exclusive ingredient sourcing tips
Workshop Includes
- All ingredients and equipment
- Professional chef instruction
- Apron and chef's hat
- Beverage service
- Take-home packaging
MONTHLY SESSIONS IN THREE MAJOR CITIES
Toronto
Our flagship location in the heart of Toronto's Little Italy offers state-of-the-art facilities and the largest wood-fired oven in the city. Monthly workshops are held on the first and third Saturday of each month, with both morning and afternoon sessions available.
456 College Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1A4
Vancouver
Located in Vancouver's vibrant Gastown district, our West Coast location features stunning views and a relaxed atmosphere. Workshops are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturday of each month, with special sunset sessions available during summer months.
234 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6
Montreal
Our Montreal location in the historic Old Port brings European charm to your pizza-making experience. Classes are offered in both English and French on the first, second, and third Saturday of each month, celebrating the city's bilingual culture.
789 Rue Saint-Paul Est, Montreal, QC H2Y 1H4
All locations feature professional-grade equipment, comfortable learning environments, and convenient parking or public transit access. Each facility is designed to accommodate various group sizes while maintaining an intimate, hands-on learning experience. Our workshops fill up quickly, so we recommend booking at least three weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
"This workshop completely transformed my pizza-making skills! The instructors were patient, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience fun and engaging. I've been making restaurant-quality pizzas at home ever since."
Sarah Mitchell
Toronto Workshop, June 2025
"My wife and I took the couples workshop for our anniversary, and it was absolutely perfect. We learned so much, had a blast working together, and the pizzas we made were incredible. Highly recommend!"
James Chen
Vancouver Workshop, May 2025
"We booked a group workshop for our team building event, and it exceeded all expectations. The chefs were fantastic, the facility was top-notch, and everyone had an amazing time. Best team building activity we've ever done!"
Marie Dubois
Montreal Workshop, July 2025
BEGIN YOUR PIZZA-MAKING JOURNEY TODAY
Whether you're looking to impress friends and family with your newfound skills, searching for a unique date experience, or planning an unforgettable team-building event, Salvatore's pizza-making workshops offer an authentic, hands-on learning experience that you'll treasure for years to come.
Our master chefs bring decades of experience and genuine passion for Italian culinary traditions to every workshop. You'll leave not just with delicious pizzas and recipe cards, but with the confidence and knowledge to recreate authentic Italian pizza in your own kitchen whenever the craving strikes.
Spaces in our workshops are limited to ensure personalized attention and optimal learning conditions. We recommend booking early, especially for weekend sessions and holiday periods. Gift certificates are also available, making our workshops the perfect present for the food lover in your life.
Join the thousands of satisfied students who have discovered the joy of authentic Italian pizza making at Salvatore. Your journey to becoming a skilled pizzaiolo starts here, and we can't wait to welcome you to our kitchen.
