Any Way You Slice ItAny Way You Slice It

Once considered merely a casual dining option, pizza has evolved into a gourmet experience with endless possibilities for customization. For caterers looking to innovate and elevate their offerings, incorporating pizza into events and menus can be a game-changer.

“Pizza just has this way of sending shivers of shock and awe through guests,” says Christie Altendorf (D’Amico Catering). “Just imagine their eyes lighting up with surprise as pizzas are marched out of the kitchen—they really hold a special place for people.

“Plus, the most beautiful thing about pizza is its versatility; there’s something for everybody.”

A look at pizza’s popularity

According to Datassential, pizza is consumed regularly, with two-thirds of consumers having had pizza within the last week (that equates to a staggering 30 billion pizzas devoured annually). Datassential FLAVOR goes so far as to say that it’s America’s number one food, stating that virtually 100% of consumers know of pizza and nearly as many (91%) say they love it or like it, making it one of America’s favorite foods.

“Pizza is everywhere again and it’s such an easy and fun thing that just about everyone in the room enjoys,” said Michael Stavros (M Culinary Concepts) during a session on trends during Catersource + The Special Event 2024.

Primal Alchemy has hosted pizza pop-ups. Photo courtesy Primal Alchemy

In fact, 83% of Americans eat pizza at least monthly, whereas 44% eat pizza weekly, and 30% of menus feature pizza as an entree course, according to General Mills Foodservice.

“Pizza is no longer a trend, it’s truly the way Americans prefer to eat a lot of the time,” Altendorf says. “It’s comforting, it’s accessible, and it’s recognizable. But now, it’s also about presenting something in a way that is mind blowing and unique.”

A good crust is a must

A good pizza begins with the crust. According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by General Mills Foodservice, 91% of Americans agree that a bad crust can ruin a pizza. Additionally, more than three-quarters of Americans (80%) say they would pay more for a pizza with a high-quality crust.

“A good crust is the heart of any great pizza, yet it can be a challenge for many pizza makers to get consistent and quality results,” said Tom Santos (General Mills Foodservice) in a press release.

So, what makes a high-quality crust? According to General Mills Foodservice, diners judge a pizza crust on taste/flavor, thickness, texture, color (golden brown), and char. In terms of preferred texture, a good crust should have a dual texture of crispy on the outside and airy on the inside (33%).

“The crust is there as a vehicle to get it to your mouth,” says Chef Paul Buchanan (Primal Alchemy).

Chefs are also innovating by introducing alternative crusts crafted from cauliflower, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, beetroot, spinach, and many more veggie options, further expanding the array of choices available (especially for those looking for gluten-free options).

Whether it’s store-bought or hand-made, the crust is the heart of any pizza, which is why perfecting it is such a labor of love for chefs; they have to roll the crust thin and large enough, they have to ensure that it doesn't stick (sprinkling corn meal underneath the pizza before stretching it out is universally agreed upon as the secret to success), and the crust has to be sturdy enough to hold up to the toppings.

“A great pizza crust starts with quality ingredients and proper handling,” says Chef Kevin Relf (General Mills Foodservice).

Top it off

While there’s nothing wrong with pizza’s tried-and-true toppings such as pepperoni or sausage, more chefs and caterers are venturing into unconventional territory when thinking about how to top off their pizzas.

“I would say the topping experience is ever changing,” says David Lombardo (Lombardo’s Hospitality Group and Bardo’s Pizza). “From buffalo chicken to lobster and shrimp, you can really put anything on a pizza and have fun with it!”

According to Pizza Today’s 2024 Pizza Industry Trends report, vegan meat and cheese alternatives; sweet and hot pepper varieties; Mexican-inspired meats like birria, chorizo, and carne asada; as well as caramelized and pickled vegetables are the hottest trends in toppings for 2024.

“A pizza is different every single time because of the ingredients,” Buchanan says. “No two pizzas are the same because you want it to be an individual expression every single time—you don’t want it to be generic.”

Let’s take a deeper look into some of the trends shaping pizza toppings.

Globally-inspired ingredients

More than two-thirds (70%) of operators indicated that they are experimenting with globally inspired pizza ingredients more than they were two years ago, according to Technomic’s 2023 Pizza Study.

“Every culture has something that’s similar to a pizza,” says Chef de Cuisine Andy Dombrowski (Cowell & Hubbard) in an article for US Foods.

“I think pizza is the gateway to everything; no matter what culture you’re from, everybody loves pizza.”

During the Minnesota Bride Best of 2024 Awards (held at Equestria West at Bavaria Downs) D’Amico Catering featured a Margherita Pizza, a Sausage & Cipollini Onion Pizza, and a Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza. Photo courtesy Laura Alpizar Photography

The new age of pizza is fusing the Italian classic with international cuisines. Think Greek lamb gyro pizza with tzatziki on a pita crust; an elote pizza topped with street corn, Mexican crema, and cilantro; or how about a pizza topped with yellow vegetable curry, a mozzarella and provolone cheese blend, crispy chickpeas, and spicy cilantro chimichurri?

Indulgence redefined

When tasked with choosing between healthy and indulgent, many consumers are looking for the best of both worlds.

“Pizza is great, but guests sometimes feel it’s not a ‘healthy’ enough option for them,” Lombardo says.

According to Datassential’s 2024 Pizza Keynote report, half of all consumers surveyed (51%) agreed equally that pizza is an indulgent meal, and that they prefer pizza made with healthy ingredients.

In response to the new trend in health-conscious and specialized diets, the pizza landscape has evolved to embrace dietary diversity, with gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options in meats and cheeses. Healthy options are now widely accessible, catering to a broader spectrum of customers.

Rosemary & Rye Catering offers a live action pizza station. Photo courtesy Rosemary & Rye Catering

Another popular trend is to top pizzas with local, farm-fresh vegetables.

“All of those little things you could add to a salad you can probably put on a pizza,” Buchanan says. “Also, think about any ingredients that you have on hand for other orders; for a caterer there’s always leftover amounts of things, and those are the perfect things for pizza because I may have nothing else on my menu that is going to call for that, but you can put anything on a pizza—the combinations are endless.”

The finishing touch

Now that we have the crust and the toppings, all that’s left is the finishing flourish: the dips, sauces, and drizzles. This is where sweet toppings like hot honey, balsamic glazes, fig jam, and maple syrup or savory drizzles like basil, chive, or chili oil and siracha can bring a pizza from exceptional to extraordinary. “The things we are drizzling on the pizza are really fun,” Altendorf says. “How can we add an extra layer of kick and flavor?”

Rising to the occasion

As you prepare to make pizza a star at your next event, remember that it’s not just about serving a meal—it’s about creating memorable experiences that leave guests raving and coming back for more.

One way to make pizza the star of the show is to bring a pizza trailer (or in some cases a pizza bus) onsite for a chef action station where guests can serve themselves from a buffet.

Create an interactive experience with a pizza-making station where guests can customize their own pizzas.

24 Carrots Catering & Events’ custom pizza station features fourpizzas, each crafted on-site and baked in their pizza oven. Guestsenjoy watching their chefs in action, creating an interactive and dexperience. Photo courtesy Ashley Paige

Provide a range of fresh ingredients, including high-quality cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal vegetables. This adds a fun and engaging element to any event.

“These pizza stations are more than just about eating—they’re all about entertainment,” says Carizza Rose (24 Carrots Catering & Events*). “Guests get to see the dough being spun, toppings carefully arranged, and pizzas whisked into the oven, to be served golden and ready to enjoy; it’s the perfect blend of personalization and pizzazz, creating memories as mouthwatering as the pizzas themselves.”

This live-action cooking adds a captivating element to your event, making the food service part of the celebration itself.

Or why not allow each table to put in a pizza order, and then deliver their customized pie right to the table?

“Sometimes I think weddings can be too stuffy, so you can surprise them and have something common and universal,” Buchanan says. “It's not really a plated item because pizza is to be shared by everybody—it's much more interesting to do family style.”

Brickfire Pizza refurbished an old school bus into a mobile pizza oven where they bring pizza buffets to myriad events, including weddings. Photo courtesy Studio Veil

If bringing a pizza oven onsite is beyond your company’s capabilities (or if your venue isn’t suitable for this), Buchanan suggests par-baking your pizzas ahead of time in your kitchen and then finishing them onsite with a portable Roccbox or small tabletop pizza oven.

“It takes one minute to put on the ingredients, one minute in the oven, and one minute to cut and present it,” he says.

Pizza as a passed appetizer or latenight snack is always a crowd pleaser, and don’t forget about outside-thebox ideas such as breakfast or dessert pizzas.

“For a bit of bite-sized brilliance, we offer tray-passed gourmet pizza slices—mini masterpieces that are sure to mingle as effortlessly as your guests,” Rose says.

In terms of how many and what size pizzas to make for an event, Lombardo and Buchanan suggest one 12-inch pizza per person. There will most likely be leftovers, so provide pizza boxes for guests. You can even take it one step further and provide custom pizza boxes, such as with the couple’s name for a wedding, or a company logo or branding for a corporate event.

Also, don’t forget to consider what will be served alongside the pizza (if it’s the main course and not an appetizer or late-night snack). The classics are of course salads, breadsticks, and chicken wings.

“I think most anybody would be happy at any event with that,” says Buchanan. “Maybe it’s just what we’re used to, but I don’t associate pizza with roasted baby carrots or mashed potatoes or anything like that.”

In terms of display and presentation, play into the pizza aesthetic by decorating buffet tables with peppers, tomatoes, artichokes, and lemons or use red and white checkerboard tablecloths evoking pizzeria vibes. You could even use cans of tomato sauce as risers to give the pizzas height.

24 Carrots Catering & Events offers a custom pizza station during their events. (Social Media Credits) Lead Planner & Signage Designer: @mikala_mongeamoreevents; Lead Planner: @mongeamoreevents; Assistant Coordinator: @taylor_mongeamoreevents; Venue: @oakcreekevents & @oakcreekgolf; Catering + Bar: @24carrotscatering; Rentals: @sigpartyrentals; Specialty Rentals: @townandcountry_eventrentals; Beauty Team: @beachbridalbeauty; Mini Desserts + Groom’s Cake: @honeyandgather; Italian Cake: @poulsbakeryoc; Groom: @brandonmoshenkoo; Bride: @eeecopp_ ; Photography: @ashleypaigephoto; Videography: @pressfilms; Florist: @thebloomoftime; Coffee Vendor: @moonwoodcoffee; Stationary: @papermintpress; Live Painter: @artbybiancaga; Candling: @carinafloral; Content Creator: @2.adventure.capturing; Bridal Salon: @styledbytc; Wedding Dress Designer: @watters; Bridal Shoes: @dolcevita

Be cautious when bringing pizza to your catering menus though, because there is plenty of room for error (i.e., burns, not enough cheese, too many ingredients causing the pizza to get soggy, etc.).

“Maintaining the perfect pizza at events presents its own set of unique challenges,” says Barbara Brass (Wolfgang Puck Catering). “Keeping it hot without compromising quality is a balancing act—some heating methods leave the crust soggy, while others dry out the toppings. Then there’s the issue of temperature; some solutions just don’t keep the pizza hot enough to capture that fresh-from-the-oven appeal. Despite its simplicity, pizza can be surprisingly finicky when it comes to preserving its ideal texture and flavor. These hurdles highlight the skill and precision required to serve pizza that’s as good hours into an event as it is the moment it’s made.”

“It’s a simple process cooking pizza, but many things can go wrong,” adds Buchanan. “Building a pizza is an art, so it’s a talent that you get better at every time; test it out on yourself first to make sure that you can do it. You could even have a pizza party for your staff and do it that way.”

Pizza’s adaptability makes it an ideal choice for modern catering. Embrace this beloved dish with creativity and finesse, and watch it become a standout feature of your catering offerings.

“Pizza brings people together,” says Buchanan.

*24 Carrots Catering & Events is a proud member of the Leading Caterers of America, a consortium of the top catering and event planners throughout the United States and Canada.

Click through the slideshow for some pizza recipes to help get you inspired.