Domino's Pizza Birkenhead — Restaurant in Kaipātiki

“Pizza World”

by Michal Mesko (April 22, 2004)

Specific purpose: To inform my audience about history of pizza and how it became so popular.

Central idea: Pizza, formerly a poor man’s food, became a worldwide multibillion business.

INTRODUCTION

I. Introduction

A. Do you know what a poor man’s food some 200 years ago was? You probably don’t know. Let me give you another advice: it is a $32 billion per year business today. You still have no idea? And if I tell you that it’s Joey’s from Friends most favorite food? Hey, come on! I bet most of you LOVE pizza!

B. Over the past 50 years, pizza has by far become worldwide favorite food, especially in America.

C. The true origins of this fine cuisine are as colorful as any good pizza with plenty of toppings.

D. In my speech, I will tell you something about history of pizza, how it became so popular, presence of pizza, warm relationship of Americans to pizza and also some interesting facts and Guinness records relating pizza.

BODY

I. Pre-pizza Epoch (History of Pizza)

A. Pizza is not an Italian invention, as is widely thought.

Origins of pizza go far back to the ancient times. “Ancestors” of pizza was Babylonian and Egyptian flat un-leaven bread, called “pita”.

Later on, Greeks and Romans were eating the bread, topped with vegetables, olive oil and native spices – but without tomatoes. Pita is still common in Greece today.

There are several opinions about an etymology of the word “pizza”; the most common is that it came from Latin “picea”, which describes the blackening of the crust cause by the fire underneath.

B. Pizza became widely popular in 1889 because of the Queen Margherita.

Originally, pizza was a poor man’s food.

In 1889, Italian King Umberto I and Queen Margherita gave visit to Naples. They saw many peasants eating large, flat bread.

The Queen loved the bread, but it was not appropriate for a Queen to dine on peasant’s food.

Famous “pizzaiolo”, Raffaele Esposito, created a special patriotic pizza for Queen Margherita for that occasion; the pizza had toppings that resembled Italian flag (red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil).

As the word got out, that pizza was one of the Queen’s favorite foods, the Queen and pizza became even more popular among the Italian people.

Pizza Margherita became standard.

C. The first true pizzeria ever was opened in 1830.

Until about that time, pizzas were sold from open-air stands and street vendors.

World’s first true pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port’ Alba, opened in Naples and is still in business today.

D. Thanks to Italian immigrants, pizza made its way to the whole Europe and America by the beginning of 1900’s.

In 1905, Gennaro Lombardi opened the 1st US Pizzeria in New York City.

But the real “pizza-boom” came after World War II, when American and European soldiers returned from Italy. They ate it there; it was love at first taste! Therefore, they demanded it at home as well.

(Transition: This is how pizza got its fame. But what does pizza actually mean today? Is it successful in beating other foods? Definitely yes.) II. Pizza Epoch (Presence of Pizza)

A. Pizzas are not any longer limited to Margherita, Napolitana and Bologna.

Even though Margherita, Napolitana and Bologna are basics until today, pizza is perfect for improvisation. That is why there are many variations: stuffed pizza, crust pizza, pizza pockets, calzones, grilled...

Disappointed, and not for the first time. I really wanted to enjoy Dominos but honestly, the quality has just gone downhill. Where do I even start? The pizza arrived cold, soggy and sad the crust? Cardboard would’ve had more flavour and better texture It was chewy in a way that made me question if it had been baked or just left under someone’s car seat for warmth. The cheese was barely melted, sliding around like it was trying to escape. Honestly, I don’t blame it. The toppings? The toppings were really stingy too, like they were counting every piece of mushroom. I paid extra for a toppings that barely even showed up and one lonely olive. Thanks domino’s. So generous, The garlic bread used to be my go-to, but this time it was flat, greasy, and almost rubbery. No crunch, no flavour — just oily bread with a garlic hint, if I’m being generous. Customer service? Nonexistent. Called about the late delivery and got attitude like I was ruining their day. No apology, no solution just we’re busy I get it but when you’re paying this much for fast food, at least get the basics right. Domino’s used to be decent for a quick fix, but now it feels like they’re cutting corners. Probably won’t be ordering again...

A one is generous! Multiple times I have ordered pizza to be delivered and they have called me saying it will take 40 minutes so I should just cancel my order! I asked to speak to a manager today because I’m over this! The employee told me he was the manager! After being on the phone asking why my order was being cancelled and why it was any less important than everyone else’s order he hung up on me. I went in store and asked him why he hung up on me and he told me he didn’t. He was rude a disrespectful and laughed at every word I said! After I requested to make a formal complaint he then informed me he wasn’t actually the manager and he refused to tell me who I can talk to and said he would pass on a message but he doesn’t believe this has happened multiple times so nothing will happen! Not only have they done this multiple times they also have employees that I have seen walk around shoeless and gone for a smoke break and not washed their hands! Worst dominoes I have ever been to and I highly recommend you go...