How To Throw A Pizza Party
Sun Jul 05 2015
Potentially the most amazing party you have ever thrown, a pizza party is great in many ways. Your guests get to eat lots, and you get to cook less. Preparation is key, and once you are all organised, sit back and relax. This is the one time your guests will actually want to take charge of your kitchen!
First things first, get yourself a great pizza recipe. Our step by step video shows you how to make the dough from start to finish – follow this for ultimate success.
Make The Dough The Day Before
If you are following the recipe, go to point 6. Knead the dough as above, but once it’s ready to rise, place the bowl in the fridge rather than a warm area. The cold will slow the rising time. Remove from the fridge about an hour before you plan on forming your pizzas to allow to come to room temperature, then shape and roll out as directed above.
Have The Ingredients Ready Before The Guests Arrive
Chop and grate, slice and dice – whatever you are using, make sure that you have lots of it. Decant into bowls and place on the countertop for the assembly line.
Make Your Oven Scream
The oven should be as hot as it will go. We recommend preheating it to its highest setting at least half an hour before you start to cook. If you have pizza stones, make sure they are heating before the guests arrive.
Create Homemade Pizza Tins
Using tin foil, double line a square per pizza, and scrunch up the edges to make a ‘lip’ in the shape of a circle. That way your tin foil will catch any rogue toppings and keep your oven nice and clean.
Make A Menu
Suggest some topping combinations and print it out for your guests to read. You will avoid too much contemplation, and give a great talking point. We always like to include a sweet and savoury pizza (fig and parma ham and a nutella pizza).
Recruit A Commis
Ask a guest to help you out with the oven runs to avoid you falling down with tiredness before the party really takes off. Serve pizza on paper plates with lots of napkins to save you on washing up.
Stuck For Topping Ideas? Here’s our favourite gourmet toppings:
Proscuitto + Pesto + Mozzarella
New Potato + Rosemary + Brie
Salami + Chilli + Caramelised Onions + Rocket
Spinach + Tomatoes + Egg
Chorizo + Roast Sweet Potato
Tandoori Chicken + Coriander + Mango Chutney
Goat’s Cheese + Pesto + Pine Nuts + Rocket
Fig + Brie + Pancetta
