Francesco Martucci Crowned Italy’s Best Pizzaiolo

Pizzaiolo Francesco Martucci has reached the top of the global pizza scene with his pizzeria I Masanielli just steps from the Royal Palace of Caserta. In 2025, he was named “number one pizzaiolo in the world” by The Best Pizza Awards, knocking the celebrated Franco Pepe from the top spot. Martucci’s story is one of evolution. What began in 2001 as a simple take‑out shop has transformed over the years into the modern pizzeria located on Viale Douhet since 2017. For Martucci, pizza is far more than a dish: “It’s my passion, my craft, my life, and my way of expressing both tradition and creativity. It’s a bridge between history and modernity, between simplicity and complexity, between the local and the universal,”
he said upon receiving the award. What sets I Masanielli apart is an obsessive, almost meditative approach to dough: meticulous leavening, carefully sourced ingredients, and cooking techniques calibrated with precision. Each pizza is a balance of lightness, flavor, and digestibility, qualities that, according to international guide inspectors, make it truly exceptional. His global recognition didn’t happen by chance. In a world where pizza is increasingly the subject of research, experimentation, and culinary innovation, Martucci has managed to blend roots and modernity, turning I Masanielli into a reference point for anyone seeking to taste Italian excellence. His success has placed Caserta on the map, while sharing a powerful message to the world. Through his craft, he demonstrates that pizza is not just something to eat. It’s also a form of art, culture, and identity.