Pizza’s popularity is undeniable as it is both a staple of American cuisine and consistently rated as one of Americans’ favorite dishes. With controversies like pineapple on pizza, it is obvious how pizza toppings can transcend food and alter the perceptions of chefs and restaurants. From regional preferences to personal preferences, the impact of quality toppings and preparation is undeniable.
Proteins are largely considered to be the most important topping for pizzas and flatbreads. According to Hungry Howie’s, 62 percent of consumers prefer meat toppings. Finding the right source for consistent, high-quality, meat toppings can be a challenge, however, it is vital as consumers look for innovative flavors with consistent quality.
Customers know what low-quality toppings taste like, from stringy casings on sausage or pepperoni to overly fatty meats that create a greasy palette. Quality and creativity must be at the forefront of chefs’ and operators’ minds when curating the best pizza or flatbread from procurement of ingredients to execution of the recipe.
“Smithfield’s Culinary Canvas is about the art of crafting pizzas,” says Chef Gene McWilliams, owner of Kitchens Unlimited LLC. “I think pizzas are a blank canvas, everybody loves the original pepperoni sausage type thing. But I like to stay a little colorful and add flavor and profile and go with the season.”
Smithfield’s Culinary Canvas helps chefs around the country highlight the ingenuity and craft in pizza and flatbread creation. Relying on high quality and trend-forward ingredients is key to staying competitive within the pizza market. However, this can be a challenge for chefs and operators especially if they are not partnering with the right manufacturers.
Consumers notice quality, especially as prices continue to rise. Fifty-one percent of consumers agreed pizza was an indulgent meal and they wanted healthy, quality ingredients, according to Datassentials 2024 Pizza Keynote Report. Operators cannot afford to cut costs when it comes to toppings as consumers consider this the key indicator of value and quality.
“We pretty much do every protein that’s out there,” McWilliams says. “The full line of Margherita products gives me the chance to express myself, from bacon to pepperoni to sausage to pulled pork.” Operators must partner with vendors that offer consistent protein quality they can count on to differentiate themselves from competitors.
Not all toppings are created equal, in fact, one-third of consumers say toppings beat out crust, sauce, and cheese in terms of importance, according to Datassentials 2024 Pizza Keynote Report. Smithfield Culinary’s Margherita products including pepperoni, capicola, and Genoa Salami stand out as proteins consumers can count on for quality and consistency at their local pizzeria.
“Due to the consistency and quality of Smithfield Culinary’s Margherita products, our customers keep coming back,” says Chef Lenny Rago, co-owner of Panino’s Pizzeria. “Not just because of the pizza, but because of the proteins and quality ingredients we use. Offering consistent, quality products proves that operators care, and when operators care, the customers care, too.”
The artistry of pizza making is as much about the quality of the ingredients as it is about the creativity behind the recipes. Smithfield Culinary’s Margherita products offer pizzerias a reliable source of top-tier proteins that elevate every pie from ordinary to exceptional. With their consistent quality and wide variety, these products empower chefs and operators to craft pizzas that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. By using Margherita’s renowned toppings, pizzerias can ensure they stand out in a competitive market, delivering the flavors that keep customers coming back for more.
“Smithfield’s consistency is equal to none,” says Chef Tony Dezutter, chef partner for Paulie Gee’s Chicago Logan Square. “Every time I open that package, I know exactly what I’m going to get and exactly what the customer’s expecting. That’s what we’re trying to achieve, consistency. And that’s what Smithfield brings to the table.”
For more information on partnering with Smithfield Culinary visit here.
