Took a great pizza making class!! Staff was friendly, funny, and easy to learn from!!! Pizza was delicious!!! read more

VPN Americas - Dough to take home!! - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

Learning from Pepe is an absolute delight. He is a patient and focused teacher. I took the 5 day course and it really took my under of pizza to a new level. I took the course for work because we're going to be introducing a wood fired pizza concept and while there's still a lot to figure out, I now feel fully confident to dive into the project because of what I learned from Pepe and Donato at VPN. I'd take the class again just to hang out with Pepe and his other former students :D read more

This place is truly amazing! The staff is amazing! Peppe is an excellent instructor who takes his job seriously! You want to learn from the best you go see him! He won't let you fail. You are taught everything necessary to make a wonderful Napoleon pizza! His techniques are straight from Napoli where he is from. My husband had such a wonderful experience. If you are looking to take your pizza making skills to the next level this is the only place you should go. You won't regret it! read more

I just attended the 3 day course with my Friend and winemaker Scott. my wife and I are planning B&B in an agritourism setting on our small Gamay Noir vineyard. Having a Valoriani wood fired oven on property, I was not getting the results looking for in a Neopalitan style pizza. Peppe and assistant Jamie were fantastic at teaching us the products, preparation and execution that "wowed" our eyes and tastebuds. I really loved that we worked with 5 flours (denti) was my favorit and several types of San Marzano DOP tomatoes. Seeing how the pizzas and calzones turned out test driving the varying products was great! one of the highlights (so many) was the mozzarella ball.making from the Grande brand curds...so fresh! It's amazing how the simplicity of the Marinara and Margherita is so much more in terms of satisfaction in taste. UPS has been busy delivering dough and tomato products and we continue the inventory to carry on the practice that Peppe at the VPN instilled in us! Thank you VPN team! read more

VPN Americas - Thank you VPN Americas! - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

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I had a great day attending the Basic course for 6hrs. Peppe Miele is a great instructor that carefully explains each step of the way. He give's you plenty of space to practice independently. If you are a pizza lover who is looking to better their art at home, this class will definately help you. Also want to add that they are very friendly and pleasant instructors whom strive to make connections with their community. read more

VPN Americas - Instructor is one of the friendliest people you would meet with a passion for teaching. - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

I just finished the three day course. Fantastic!!!! It was a complete immersion into all things pizza. Peppe was knowledgeable and exacting in making sure I learned and mastered the techniques to make a true Neapolitan pizza. This is an ideal course for a home pizza maker who wants to vastly improves their pizza making skills. Take it now!!!! read more

This is the only place in America to learn how to make official authentic Neapolitan pizzas. After falling in love with the pizza in Naples many years ago, I could not wait until the day I had my own backyard wood-fired pizza oven. Well, that day came, but while the pizzas I made were good, okay better than good, they were not the Neapolitan pizzas I craved. So I discovered VPN and signed up for their one-day class. This isn't a watch and learn kind of class. This is a get your hands in the dough, press the tomatoes, cut the cheese (pun intended), and throw it in the fire kind of class. Peppe Miele is a pizza legend (look him up). He shows explains everything with great detail in an easy to understand way. Then he steps aside and turns the kitchen over to you. With his great feedback, I'm ready to up my backyard pizza game! I left with extra pizzas, dough ready to make more, and supplies to make even more! They even have a store to buy authentic Neapolitan pizza making gear. I will be back! read more

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Thank You Peppe Don't take the 5 day course if you are overly sensitive we Italians can tend to be a little loud for me it's like every restaurant I have worked the kitchen you need a thick skin and good work ethic ..This is a course to designed to pass on a style and tradition of food that has remained the same for hundreds of years.. Peppe is a great teacher and representative of the product and you will learn on traditional wood fired ovens imported from Italy made by craftsman. There are other options for the home cook. Don't plan on mastering this pizza in 1 day. Even after 5 full days you will need to practice. You will learn the correct procedures and ingredients to use and why and how. I have a much greater respect for this style of food. Also great respect to Peppe he is the man and cool AF. He will help you with advice and other things even after read more

Wow!! Just finished the 3 day course at VPN, I learned more than I ever could have imagined. Pepe is running the show over their and he is a great old school Italian teacher. Great place to hone your skills and work with professional equipment. Perfect experience read more

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This is the place to learn everything about Napolitano Pizza. From the moment you enter the place you feel you are in Naples. Everything athletic. The teacher was very friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed getting this experience. read more

VPN Americas - Delicious pizza - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

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This training was an incredible experience and I left not only feeling more knowledgeable about pizza, but also inspired to continue to learn and pass on what I did. Peppe is a wonderful teacher and he has so many magical tid bits to share about what he knows and his experience. The training itself was well paced, purposeful, and overall really fun. I had an awesome time with Peppe and his team and would recommend this training to anyone - whether you want to make pizza for business or for fun, or just simply want to learn something new. Mahalo mahalo mahalo! read more

I just completed my three day course and it was everything that I had hoped for! I am a hobby pizza maker with a professional grade wood fired oven in my back yard and during the warm months I make about 35 pizzas a month for family and friends. I wanted to improve my skills as I am self taught. I knew the one day course would not be enough so I took the 3 day. Pepe and Donatto delivered in all areas. They are highly knowledgeable pizza masters with over 80 years of combined experience. The course covered many areas of competency and I learned a lot of information. The course itself was hands on in a tell, show, do environment. Pepe and Donatto kept the course light and fun while keeping it interesting and serious at the same time. For the three days I was there I felt like a good friend and not a student. By the way, the test was not a joke and it certainly was not a "give me" you needed to pay attention to the information being presented, read the materials provided, and produce two pizzas for grade. Over the three days I made between 20 and 30 pizzas a day to perfect my techniques and practice the lessons we learned. I can honestly say that I feel I earned my certificate, am much more knowledgeable in the art of traditional Napoletana Pizza Making, and confident of my new found skills and abilities. I would strongly recommend this course for the serious hobbyist or the new professional who desires to learn and improve their skills. In closing, I am amazed and will continue my relationship with this fine organization. read more

If you're interested in learning traditional Neapolitan pizza making, using a wood fired oven, VPN Americas is a must for training. Don't make bastardized American pizza in your restaurants; instead, make the Italian Neapolitan pizzas based on tradition which are elegant and simple pies your customers will crave over and over again! Peppe, is the Master Pizzaiolo with a wealth of knowledge perfectly balances the demand for adherence to tradition and supporting your learning. The five day extensive course covers oven management, cheese making, dough fermentation and production, ingredient selection/sourcing, toppings and station preparation (mise en place), peel use, pizza turning etc. and so much more necessary details. Also, Jaime who assist with the instruction was wonderfully supportive and knowledgeable who showed the how to of making great pies. There are many types of pizza, especially in the United States, but learning the traditions, getting trained and certified, will empower you with the knowledge needed to serve your customers distinctively and having them coming back. Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana is a must opportunity if you have a wood pizza oven in your restaurant! read more

This was honestly amazing culinary training under a Master Pizzaiolo, Peppe Miele. I would highly recommend this course to anyone, whether you're a person just looking to learn more about how to make Neapolitan Pizza at home, or if you're like me, a Professional Chef. Peppe and the VPN staff are really patient and supportive and the facility is really exceptional. I'm now a proud VPN graduate and I'm excited to pop in VPN regularly to both visit and practice the craft. read more

What a fantastic experience! I did the 3 day course and let me tell you my pizza skills improved 100x . Peppe is a very knowledgeable, skilled and friendly mentor. He challenges you but simultaneously makes you feel at home. Day 2 I busted out a ton of pizzas and was happily surprised to hear that they were donated to a local homeless shelter. If you're serious about making REAL Neapolitan Pizza, I couldn't recommend this school more. read more

My daughter and I took a gluten free pizza class with Peppe at this wonderful cooking school. The experience was definitely worth the cost of the class for two people with celiac disease who have few safe options. Peppe was an entertaining instructor with so much knowledge to share. You will not regret taking this fabulous class! read more

VPN Americas - Peppe and two grateful students with celiac disease. - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

I had an amazing experience attending the Basic Course with Peppe Miele. From learning history about the ingredients, the ovens and the recipes, to getting hands on experience preparing the dough and cooking some pies, the whole training was very exceptional. I would definitely recommend taking this class if you are a pizza enthusiast and you want to level up your pizza making skills read more

Highly recommend the basic course, a "must do" for anyone that has serious interest in making authentic Pizza Napoletana. What an amazing opportunity to learn, hands-on, the technique from the best, Master Pizzaiolo "Peppe". Peppe was not only as knowledgeable as anyone in the world, he was patient with a new pizzaiolo like me, allowing me space to make some mistakes and learn along the way. I also gained a strong understanding of the rich history of pizza with Donato which was very helpful. This course has given me a solid foundation to begin my pizza making journey. Grazie Mille Peppe & Donato! read more

VPN Americas - My first pizza napoletana, with teaching by Peppe! - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

Peppe Miele is an excellent instructor with decades of relevant experience. Attended a 5 day class and it was worth every minute. Felt confident and comfortable after the course. Highly recommend five stars read more

I took the 3 day course with Peppe Miele and it was outstanding. I received the detailed instructions that I needed to go forward with confidence and produce a quality pizza. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to really understand the techniques and traditions. As a bonus, Peppe was a blast to be around. read more

Getting it right is important to me. After years of fumbling with Neapolitan pizza, I decided to follow the training of VPN Americas to become a real pizza chef! With them, you will have the opportunity to learn not only how to make excellent Napolitain pizza, but also all that revolves around this art that dates back several centuries. Pepe is a passionate, meticulous and attentive individual. His knowledge is immense and it is a privilege to learn with him. I crossed the entire continent to come here. I learned there a knowledge which will accompany me for a lifetime. Thanks to Pepe and his staff. À mes compatriotes Canadiens et Québecois, je vous recommande fortement cette école, la seule du genre en Amérique. Vous y apprendrez un savoir incroyable et ferez de Pepe votre ami pour la vie. Stéphane read more

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I just took the 3 day course and couldn't have had a better experience! Learning from Peppe and Donato was fun and rewarding. Other than occasional home pizza making I did not have any prior experience with Neapolitan pizza. Peppe was able to work with me at my skill level and help me learn the fundamentals necessary to create great dough and perfect pizza. read more

I signed up for the three day course and it exceeded all my expectations. If work would've permitted I would have extended it to their Extensive five day course. The team, Pepe, Mario, and Donato make you feel right at home from day one. The course is very thorough and hands-on; perfect for learning. Their attention to detail and passion towards the beautiful art of Napoletana Pizza is unmatched. Sign up today, you will not regret it! The only thing you need to bring is Passion; they provide the rest. read more

VPN Americas - Home grown fresh tomatoes right outside the school. Delicious. Grown by the one and only Pepe Miele. - Cooking Schools Near Me - Inglewood, California

I can only recommend the courses with the incredible pizzaiolo Peppe, Jaime and the theory classes with Donato. I had such a great experience and learned the essence of making a real Napolitano pizza. Lots of fun, great insights and tips to make amazing pizzas. I did the 3 day class which gave enough time to practice. Probably will go back for the last 2 days to learn about the rest. You want to learn how to make a real pizza? Search no more - this is the place. read more

Amazing experience! Excellent opportunity to learn hands-on technique from the Master Pizzaiolo "Peppe" along with gaining understanding of the rich history, culture and quality of products from Compania Italy with Donato. I recommend this course to anyone who wants a full experience developing a skill set to how it's actually done in Naples. This program gave me a solid foundation and understanding of the best products, technique, wood ovens and how to continue on sharing the true quality of Pizza Napoletana! Grazie Mille Peppe & Donato ! read more

(5 day course) I apologize for the lengthy review in advance... I grew up connected to a family farm. If they didn't grow it or make it, they didn't have it... it was the 80's and my grandparents owned horses, not tractors... as an adult, I have always been connected to what we now call "organic' & 'slow food' or, well, the food we should be eating... and it's history... I was truly inspired when, 20 years ago, regional italian cuisines and Neapolitan pizza entered my life... It was amazing... I was younger and didn't understand what it was all about, but it was delicious.. and I had to know the history... That's when the love affair started, as they say... I went to culinary school when I was young, but learned very quickly that real estate paid more... Fast forward... Over the years, I watched every video on YouTube. Bakers formulas, dough management, sauce, san marzano tomatoes... built a (not great) DIY oven in my backyard, blah, blah... all of that led me to stumble upon the AVPN website years ago. Because I intend to open a Neapolitan pizzeria (thanks, Covid, for making that a reality) I realized that one day, I had to take the course... My experience at VPN Americas... It doesn't matter where you are in your life... 1 day, 3 day, 5 day... Pick the course that fits your needs. The curriculum described will always deliver! Pepe and his team are really good at over delivering on the promise. It's fun, upbeat, tough when it needs to be and built to deliver more than what you could expect. By day 5, I felt like I was part of a family that really cared about tradition - and my success! two weeks after the course, I still miss that family... Pepe is energetic, entertaining and willing to impart his life long knowledge to all. I was terrible at 'disk making' when I arrived. Pepe was a great teacher. He assured me that I would learn and, with his very patient guidance, by day 5 I was much, much better! I now have a real neopolitan pizza oven at my house and have been practicing the skills I learned and, I must say, I'm confident in all my skills now. Whether you're a back yard pizza maker or a famous TV chef, you will learn the history and the time honored processes, you'll work with professionals and professional equipment and, well, you'll eat AMAZING food! what could be better? Take the course, you will learn a lot and you will love it! And ask Pepe to make (or make it yourself) a Mastunicola pizza, you'll thank me... Buon Appetito! read more

I took 5 days class and it was awesome. You get to make more than 30-40 pizzas everyday. It's so fun and worth it. If you are thinking of opening up an pizzeria, you need to check this place out for sure. read more

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We took the 1 day class as an introduction to pizza making using a wood fired pizza oven. We are both amateur pizza makers hoping to learn how to make pizzas for family and friends in our own wood fired oven. The class was a perfect comprehensive introduction to oven management as well as the authentic Neapolitan pizza preparation. Pepe was a fabulous teacher and was able to teach us at a beginner level and instill confidence in us that we could handle every step, from mixing the dough by hand (literally!) to managing the oven temperature and the pizza cooking. And it was so much fun! While Pepe is serious about the art of Neapolitan pizza making, he teaches each step in a fun, lighthearted manner. We started out with no knowledge of wood fired pizza making and left that day feeling like we now have the skills needed to fire up our own oven and start making pizzas! Thank you, Pepe! We highly recommend this Neapolitan pizza course and we hope to take additional wood fired oven courses from VPN in the future! read more

Top notch training in the craft of making authentic Napoletana pizzas! Peppe is an amazing instructor and vastly knowledgeable about his craft. If you want to learn to make the most delicious authentic neopolitan pizzas this is the place to come. read more

I just finished Peppe's class. Amazing. They are legit. Masters of everything Napoletana Pizza. I learned in a day what would have taken me years if not a lifetime to learn. True Italians they are. They treat you like family, even though my family is from Northern Italy (Haha). Peppe is a great teacher - you learn by doing. Peppe was patient and fun while I went through more than a dozen dough balls learning the technique. No flipping in the air reality TV stuff, just classic centuries-old perfected recipes, and techniques - all specific to Naples. Take the class. You won't be disappointed. read more

Just finished a "refresher" course with Peppe and Mario. I had taken the longer class in Naples, but needed to get better in very specific areas, especially around cooking the dough in the oven. Mario and Peppe have enormous experience in the field and they are very clear in explaining what you are doing right and wrong. In three days I managed to significantly improve my technique and by the end of the class I was extremely more comfortable (and knowledgeable) in the entire process. Highly recommended for people who love Neapolitan pizza (is there any other kind? :-) and want to learn the skills, from beginners to professionals. read more

I finished the 5 day course a couple weeks back and it was way more than I could've imagined it would be. You are not there just watching other people make pizza. You get involved in every step of the process from making the dough, then portioning, making the pizza, and finally baking the pizza. Also, you get your hands on the oven immediately. From cleaning it in the morning, to baking bread with left over dough and remaining embers, then restarting the fire, and getting the oven to temperature. Certainly 5 days doesn't make you an expert pizzaiolo, but you can get a great working foundation of what it is like in a day to day pizza operation. Not to mention learning the tradition of making the Neapolitan pizza. You will also learn how to make fresh mozzarella and fresh ricotta as well. And the people, Donato, Pepe, & Mario, are all just great people. They have a passion for what they do and are not selfish about passing it on. Information you will receive is invaluable and shared openly. I would highly recommend this course! read more

Thank you to Peppe and Donato at VPN America's for the great time I experienced. I attended the 3 day course and it exceeded my expectations. I learned so much helpful information about Neapolitan pizza, fermentation, preparing the dough and using a professional wood fired oven. I encourage anyone who has a passion for true Neapolitan pizza to attend a course at VPN Americas. read more

Couldn't be happier about it! VPN has done an amazing job with this training center. The course is outstanding and very thorough. I took the regular 3 day course and learned a lot to start a Neapolitan style pizzeria. The Pizzaiolo Jose was a great instructor and made sure we learned the proper way and all questions were answered. We used the best ingredients and learned the industrial and household way of making pizza. The entire team was very nice, Donato and Pepe true gentlemen. I would highly recommend this course if you're planning in opening a pizzeria or if you're a great foodie. read more

I was there last week for the 3-day class. What a great experience. Peppe was an excellent instructor and Donato was a pleasure to be around. It was a total immersion in all things pizza. There is so much to learn about making classic Neapolitan pizza. If you want a total "hands on" experience go here. Peppe is extremely passionate about making pizza and explained every step in fine detail. His passion wanted me to step up my game and be the best I could. I really struggled to make a perfectly round pie. (He made it look so easy!) As they say: to make it Carnegie Hall you have to practice, practice, practice. That's exactly what I am going to do! read more

I just completed my week long course with Peppe and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! Peppe is a great chef and teacher! Highly recommend this course! Joe read more

Taking the 3 day course #sorry could not make 5 day, it has been the best experiencia as in courses I had, everyone is so welcoming since the beginning you start to soak all the information, the teaching is so great Chef Mario is an amazing instructor, Donato an Maestro Peppe don't stop in giving you all the help and knowledge everyday!!! It was a huge experience. If you want to learn hot to make neapolitan pizza this is the place read more

Our new family is so special to my wife and I . The three day certification program was a lotta of love and hope. For the future. VPN welcomed us into there home and gave us so much of what they know. My biggest thanks to the AVPN. Life just got better! read more

I took the one day course as I like to make pizza for myself and friends. The staff at VPN (Peppe, Donato and Mario) were fantastic. Even though I wasn't training to work or open a pizzeria, they still took the time to teach me as if I was. I learned so much and look forward to returning for possibly another course. Highly recommended for professionals and passionate amateurs like myself. It was a great day. read more

I was very appreciative of this class and the instructor (Peppe Miele). I took the 5 day course in LA and I could not be more satisfied. This course is the Americas counterpart to the mothership course in Naples. One of the differences in this course and the one in Italy is the time and duration. The one in Italy is 3 weeks and requires more travel to see where the various components of traditional Neapolitan pizza ingredients are made. They go to the mills where 00 flour is made or the San Marzano region where the tomatoes are grown, etc. The course in LA is much shorter and very centered on the process of making pizza and how different ingredients have an effect on the final product. In a word to describe this course I would use "tactile." You are there to learn how to make pizza and how to create the ingredients used for pizza making. For me, that was 100% what I wanted and I was not disappointed in any way. Peppe is ridiculously qualified to teach this course. For every issue you have, Peppe has several different ways to traverse any difficulties you may have. His eye is always how to maximize what you do and how you do it. I wish there would be more time to absorb what he has to teach. I, unflinchingly, recommend this course and the instructor. The only recommendation I would give to prospective students is bring questions. The depth of knowledge Peppe has is extensive and having him as a sounding board for what you are doing or what you are planning to do is a very real benefit to going to VPN Americas. Do not let that advantage slip through the cracks. read more