The World’s Best Pizza Maker is Teaching a Masterclass in Brunswick

Brunswick is known for many things — it's one of the city's best spots for paste-ups and yarn bombs, it's the place to go if you're after personally tailored jeans on the cheap or a trolley full of second-hand swag, and it's pretty much the only Melbourne suburb where you can still get a fully-fledged house with a backyard for under $180 per room. But as of last month, it has one more jewel in its tatty second-hand crown — it has the world's best pizza.

Last month Johnny Di Francesco, pizza chef and owner of Lygon Street's 400 Gradi, took out the top honours at the Campionato Mondiale della Pizza (World Pizza Championships) in Italy. It was a strange victory. But, much like the fact a Tasmanian single malt took out the title at the World Whiskey Awards just a month earlier, it proved Australians are a worldly bunch — currently beating everyone at their own game.

Now you get to reap all the benefits! In light of his unprecedented win, Di Francesco is hosting a pizza-making masterclass at his award-winning restaurant on Saturday, May 17. In what will be a regular affair — scheduled for the third Saturday of every month — Johnny will be going back to the basics teaching novice pizza-chefs how to make the perfect margherita pizza.

Di Francesco is a big advocate of pizza napoletana, so the end result will look nothing like the kind you might find at Pizza Hut or Dominos. Chewy, foldable and made with traditional ingredients, the pizzas at 400 Gradi are the real deal and this masterclass will give you a special insight into tricks of the trade. Learn how to make the perfect dough, how to cook the most delectable napoletana sauce, and how to sneak some bocconcini while your world-class teacher isn't looking.

For more advanced (or adventurous) students, 400 Gradi also offers pizza acrobatics classes on the second Saturday of every month taught by Australian champion Daniele Caputo. Because be honest, you've always wanted to be able to spin the dough on your finger like you're the Magic Johnston of the pizza world. Frankly, if you knew it was possible to be a champion in pizza acrobatics you probably would have given up your job years ago. Don't worry, it's not too late.

All classes are $70 per person and come with a complementary glass of Italian wine (and some hard-earned pizza). To book a place call 400 Gradi on (03) 9380 2320.