Pizza is a complicated business. In the poorgeois pizza is a luxury food, not because it’s expensive but because it is Junk Food. It’s high in fat (if you do it right) and the lower classes buy it in Iceland. It’s an indulgence, both in terms of the type of food and the culinary mores we abide by.
Here is my axis of pizza.
- Hand made stone-baked Italian dough pizza with home made toppings. Not a preservative in sight. (NB Yes to parma ham, fresh vegetables, artichokes and mozzarella. No to pineapple, sweetcorn and any meat product that comes pre-wrapped.) Extra points if you have a word burning stove.
- Breadmaker made base with sauce from a jar and home toppings.
- Bought base with jar sauce and cheddar cheese.
- Premium brand name or supermarket “best” brand pizza from the supermarket fresh aisle.
- Supermarket fresh pizza (including lower-pitched brands.
- Brand name frozen pizza.
- Unbranded frozen pizza.
Personally I don’t think there is much point in buying a ‘high quality’ frozen pizza. You might as well have a Chicago Town or a Goodfella pizza and be done with it. At least they know how to do a deep pan pizza.
You’ll notice that takeaway pizza isn’t on that list. That’s because takeaway pizza (when done properly) is TOO DISGUSTING to be admitted to in public. However if you have an appreciation for the form (in an ironic way, natch) you will go to a proper American pizza place. No poorgeoise would eat out at Pizza Hut simply because the food isn’t good enough quality, even for fatty, disgusting, delicious junk food (I’m serious – a pregnant friend made me go to Pizza Hut and my pizza was yummy for exactly three minutes). Perfect Pizza and Dominos are two to choose. Extra points if you can find an independent chain.
