What is the VPN (Verace Pizza Napoletana)?

The VPN, an international non-profit association, was founded in the mid-1990’s by a group of Neapolitan pizzaiolis (pizza makers) led by Antonio Pace, seeking to cultivate the culinary art of Neapolitan pizza making. In June 1998, they were officially established as a denomination of control (DOC) by the Italian government, a designation that made the VPN a legal entity able to give special designation to pizzerias who meet strict requirements that respect the tradition of the art of Neapolitan pizza making.

Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria was the first restaurant in the Northwest and the tenth in the United States that the VPN recognized as a Verace Pizza Napoletana which translated means a true Neapolitan pizzeria.

In order to receive and maintain VPN certification, Tutta Bella’s pizza met and must continue to meet strict regulations for the ingredients and cooking method, including using only low gluten flour, San Marzano tomatoes (grown in the rich volcanic soil of Mt. Vesuvius), making the dough by hand and using a wood fired oven.

The objectives of the VPN Association are as follows:

• To cultivate the culinary discipline of the Neapolitan pizza, with its requisite preparation, ingredients and manner of cooking.

• To protect and promote the authentic Neapolitan pizza and as a consequence, the association who fulfill the culinary requirements and characteristics of the Neapolitan pizza.

• To defend the origin of the authentic pizza and the tradition of the pizza as it began in Naples, Italy.

• To designate by the Verace Pizza Napoletana certification mark those pizzerias which respect the culinary tradition of the Neapolitan pizza and where such pizza may be enjoyed.

Source: Association of Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN), 1998 Charter

Visit the official VPN site for more information:


www.pizzanapoletana.org