Hello there, my name is Matteo Santoro, and I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy—Firenze, as we Italians proudly call it. My earliest memories revolve around the rich aroma of tomatoes simmering on the stovetop, the comforting warmth of freshly baked bread, and of course, the joy of savoring a perfectly crafted slice of pizza. Food has always been my passion, but pizza in particular has held a special place in my heart since I was a boy. I think it’s because pizza, in all its glorious simplicity and endless variations, has an uncanny way of bringing people together.
Growing up in the bustling streets of Firenze, I spent countless evenings helping my mamma in our family’s cozy kitchen. We would experiment with toppings, perfecting our tomato sauce, and taste-testing different types of dough to get that ideal balance of crispiness and chewiness. Whenever I wasn’t helping out at home, I’d be at local pizzerias, studying how the masters created their culinary works of art. I took mental notes on every detail—the oven temperature, the kneading technique, and how to blend ingredients for the sauce just right. I suppose that’s when I truly fell in love with the artistry of making pizza.
As the years went by, my desire to share this passion with the world grew stronger. The dream was to have a place of my own, where people could gather and enjoy the pizza I’d spent my whole life perfecting. Eventually, I took the leap and opened my very first pizzeria. It wasn’t easy—there were long days, early mornings, and many challenges I never saw coming. But seeing customers smile as they bit into one of my creations made it all worthwhile. Today, I proudly say that my pizzeria isn’t just a business; it’s a testament to my heritage, my roots in Firenze, and my lifelong love for the craft of pizza-making.
I decided to share my story here on this blog because I want to celebrate the happiness that a simple slice of pizza can bring. There is something truly magical about working with fresh ingredients, kneading the dough by hand, and watching it bubble and char in the oven, only to be devoured moments later by friends and family. My hope is that by reading these words, you’ll not only learn more about my journey but also feel inspired to embrace the things you love most—whatever they may be—and share them with others. After all, life is too short not to savor every bite of joy it has to offer.