Pizzaiolo

Pizzaiolos are responsible for preparing and cooking pizzas.

A pizzaiolo typically does the following:

• Ensures cooking stations are sanitized and prepped with necessary tools
• Prepares and stores pizza dough
• Prepares pizza sauces
• Orders supplies, maintains inventory, creates budgets to ensure profitable food cost
• Trains other cooks in the preparation process so all meals are uniform
• Checks quality of pizzas before they’re served to guests
• Performs regular maintenance on kitchen equipment
• Collaborates with staff on menu items
• Resolves customer complaints with diplomacy
• Makes sure the kitchen is clean and sanitized

The following job titles also refer to pizzaiolo:

pizza-chef
pizza chef
pizza-cook
pizza cook
pizza maker

Pizzaiolos work in pizzerias and restaurants. They may work in the kitchen, preparing food and cooking pizzas, or they may work in the front of the house, taking orders and serving customers.

Pizzaiolos typically work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may work full time or part time. Some pizzaiolos are self-employed and work from their own homes or pizzerias.

There is no formal education needed to become a pizzaiolo, although many restaurants require a high school diploma. Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed culinary arts programs or other relevant courses.

Pizzaiolos typically receive on-the-job training from their new employer. This training may include learning the restaurant’s menu, food preparation techniques and kitchen safety procedures. Training may also include shadowing another pizzaiolo or kitchen employee until they are comfortable enough to complete tasks on their own.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Pizzaiolo is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to pizzaiolo.

kitchen porter
kitchen assistant
linen room attendant
quick service restaurant crew member
doorman/doorwoman

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of pizzaiolo. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of pizzaiolo with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

grill cook
fish cook
diet cook
cook
sommelier

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of pizzaiolo.

• Health, safety and hygiene legislation: The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.

These skills are necessary for the role of pizzaiolo.

• Operate brick oven: Use a brick oven used for baking, drying or heating at the right temperature.
• Comply with food safety and hygiene: Respect optimal food safety and hygiene during preparation, manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and delivery of food products.
• Prepare pizza: Make pizza dough and topping ingredients like cheese, tomato sauce, vegetables and meat and decorate, bake and serve pizzas.
• Store raw food materials: Keep in reserve raw materials and other food supplies, following stock control procedures.
• Receive kitchen supplies: Accept the delivery of ordered kitchen supplies and make sure everything is included and in good condition.
• Use food preparation techniques: Apply food preparation techniques including the selecting, washing, cooling, peeling, marinating, preparing of dressings and cutting of ingredients.
• Plan menus: Organise menus taking into account the nature and style of the establishment, client feedback, cost and the seasonality of ingredients.
• Dispose waste: Dispose waste in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities.
• Handover the food preparation area: Leave the kitchen area in conditions which follow safe and secure procedures, so that it is ready for the next shift.
• Use culinary finishing techniques: Apply culinary finishing techniques including garnishing, decorating, plating, glazing, presenting and portioning.
• Use food cutting tools: Trim, peel and slice products with knives, paring or food cutting tools or equipment according to guidelines.
• Ensure cleanliness of food preparation area: Guarantee the continuous cleanliness of kitchen preparation, production and storage areas according to hygiene, safety and health regulations.
• Maintain a safe, hygienic and secure working environment: Preserve health, hygiene, safety and security in the workplace in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Use cooking techniques: Apply cooking techniques including grilling, frying, boiling, braising, poaching, baking or roasting.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of pizzaiolo. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Store kitchen supplies: Keep delivered kitchen supplies for future use safely and hygienically according to guidelines.
• Maintain kitchen equipment at correct temperature: Keep the refrigeration and storage of equipment at the correct temperature.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
• Create decorative food displays: Design decorative food displays by determining how food is presented in the most attractive way and realising food displays in order to maximise revenue.
• Check deliveries on receipt: Control that all order details are recorded, that faulty items are reported and returned and that all paperwork is received and processed, according to the purchasing procedures.

9411 – Fast food preparers

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References

1. Pizzaiolo – ESCO
2. Pizza Chef: Key Skills, Duties and Responsibilities – Indeed
3. Pizza Chef Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
4. Featured image: Photo by Lee Jiyong on Unsplash