
PROFESSIONAL PIZZAIOLO TRAINING The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN)
While most of our trainees are professional chefs, home cooks and backyard pizza chefs have also learned how to make pizza in our school. In fact, no prior culinary experienced is required! (see our last students learning how to make pizza)	is an international trade association, founded in 1984 in Naples, Italy. Its purpose is the promotion of the culinary tradition of the Neapolitan pizza. To this end, the Association provides training in the preparation of the authentic Neapolitan pizza and certification for those pizzerias/restaurants making Neapolitan pizza. VPN Americas is the official American Delegation of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. VPN Americas is headquartered in Marina del Rey, CA and is currently responsible for the USA and Canada market.
VIDEO Pizza Training School
The Course focus on the following topics: A) Theory: Knowledge of Products and Preparation Process. The course's theoretical hours aim to furnish students with an essential knowledge of the physiological, morphological and genetic components of the products composing the Neapolitan pizza (flour, plum tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, buffalo and cow’s milk mozzarella). The theory section will take place in the workshop following a well defined schedule in which the instructors will teach these five essential concepts: 1) History of pizza and an introduction to the Neapolitan pizza and the VPN Association. 2) Ingredients characteristics and quantity for the production of the pizza dough (flour, yeast, water, salt). 3) Equipment: mixer, wood burning oven characteristic, preparation table, pizza peels (wood & stainless steel), oil pitchers, etc . 4) Ingredients for making a Neapolitan pizza e.g., San Marzano plum tomato, Extra virgin olive oil, buffalo and cow’s milk mozzarella, basil, oregano, garlic etc.. 5) Preparation of the pizza (dough spreading and put the toppings) 6) Cooking of the pizza (temperature, timing and equipment) B) Workshop School A VPN Master pizzaiolo will teach you the main techniques. The training is focused on practice, so you are going to spend lots of time working preparing dough, forming the balls, slapping the dough, cooking pizza preparing all the ingredients you need. You will have your own working space and you will be overseen by the Master pizzaiolo. Practice will start the first day with making the dough, first by hand and then with the mixer. You will learn how to turn on the wood-burning oven and how to keep it ready for cooking pizzas. The students will have a work bench space on which to practice. During this period the students will be overseen by the VPN Master pizzaiolo. You will also acquire many secrets and skills like the way of preparing the ingredients (how to make your own ricotta cheese and mozzarella, how it should be cut, how the plum tomatoes should be ground, etc.) C) Training Examinations: Written & Practical A panel composed of members of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana supervised by the President Peppe Miele, will examine the trainees at the end of the course. The student will undergo two tests and a verbal interview: 1) Written test: A written test with 30 multiple-choice questions will be completed by the trainee/student. 2) Practical test : A practical test requiring preparation and rising of the dough and preparation of the two classical Neapolitan pizzas: the Margherita and the Marinara. At the end of the test, the trainee will receive a score out of 100 possible points. The written portion will be worth 30 points and the practical skills portion will be worth 70 points. A verbal interview will follow to further assess the knowledge and skill set of the student. At the end of a successful training session, you will receive a diploma certifying your completion of the course. This training will certify you as Professional Pizzaiolo. The VPN Americas restaurant/pizzeria certification requires another procedure. (See Get Certified)
Which is the Main Advantage of VPN Training Versus Other Pizza Schools? The instructors are all VPN Master Pizzaioli certified with more than 10 years experience in teaching. We teach only the art of making Neapolitan pizza. When are the Training Sessions and How do I Schedule? If you are interested in booking a class, fill-in the form below and send us an e-mail specifying the period you would like to train. The Course will run every week from Wednesday through Friday . If the period you request is available, you can book it by mailing us a $350 deposit check for each trainee (maximum 4 persons for each class) to the VPN Americas address (see below) or paying through Paypal. The deposit is not refundable, but it can be re-used in case of cancellation. Once we will receive deposit confirmation, we will send you an e-mail confirming your booking for the requested dates. The remainder of the training fee is due the first day of the training. Where is the Training Held? Training takes place at the headquarter of VPN Americas: 4040 Del Rey Ave. , #10 Marina del Rey, CA 90292. Click the address below to map with Bing.	Hourly Training Schedule. Wed. : 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Thu. : 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fri. : 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (1 hour break each day from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Transportation We recommend booking your flight for LAX airport which is approximately 15 minutes away from the training location. Lodging. The course costs do not include transportation or lodging. There is a Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Maxella Ave. (10' walking distance from the location where the training is held). Many trainees choose to stay there for its proximity to the training location. What Should I Bring? No special materials are required. We will provide a training uniform composed of aprons, hats and T-shirts. All the necessary ingredients will be provided by us. You should however, bring note-taking materials such as pen and paper and your own camera. Please wear comfortable clothes suitable for working in the kitchen.
VPN AMERICAS 4040 Del Rey Ave. #10 Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Cost Regular 3 days Course (about 6 hours a day): $1,550 (US). You will be followed every step of your training by professional teachers.
Check Availability & Request Training 1) Check the 2011/2012 Calendar 2) Fill the Request Training Form (be sure to include your e-mail, phone number and requested dates) 3) Wait for a confirmation e-mail. Please do not make any deposit payment until your training dates are approved. 4) Once you got the confirmation, you can pay the deposit online by or send a check to: VPN Americas 4040 Del Rey Ave. , #10 Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Please note that there will be a $10 transaction fee for online payment through Paypal which will be assessed when final payment is made at the completion of the training. The final payment will be taken at the first day of training either by cash, check or credit card. Please note that for a credit card payment a fix amount of $ 30 will be applied.


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