Pizza Depot Blog

5 Secrets to Making Restaurant-Quality Pizza at Home

Making restaurant-quality pizza at home might seem like an impossible task, but with a few professional secrets, you can create pizzas that rival those from your favorite pizzeria. At Pizza Depot, we've spent years perfecting our craft, and today we're sharing some of our best-kept secrets.

1. The Perfect Dough

The foundation of any great pizza is the dough. For that perfect chewy-yet-crispy texture, use high-protein flour (bread flour works great) and let your dough cold-ferment in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This slow fermentation develops flavor and improves texture dramatically.

2. Temperature Is Everything

Professional pizza ovens reach temperatures of 700-900°F (370-480°C). While your home oven can't match this, you can still get great results. Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature (usually 500-550°F) with a pizza stone or steel inside for at least an hour before baking. This creates the hot surface needed for a crispy bottom.

3. Less Is More With Toppings

One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make is overloading their pizza with toppings. This weighs down the dough and prevents proper cooking. Be selective with your toppings and remember that balance is key. A few high-quality ingredients will create more flavor than a mountain of mediocre ones.

4. The Sauce Secret

Authentic pizza sauce is surprisingly simple. For a true Neapolitan-style sauce, use San Marzano tomatoes (or another high-quality canned plum tomato), crushed by hand with a touch of salt. Don't cook the sauce before putting it on the pizza—it will cook perfectly in the oven.

5. Finishing Touches

The final secret lies in the finishing touches. Add fresh basil after the pizza comes out of the oven, drizzle with a high-quality olive oil, or finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. These simple additions elevate your homemade pizza to restaurant quality.

Try these techniques at home, and you'll be amazed at how close you can get to professional results. Of course, when you don't feel like cooking, Pizza Depot is always here to deliver that perfect pizza experience right to your door!

The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Wine with Pizza

Pizza and wine might not seem like an obvious pairing to everyone, but when done right, the combination can create a truly exceptional dining experience. The right wine can complement and enhance the flavors of your favorite pizza, turning a casual meal into something special.

Classic Margherita

With its simple combination of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, a Margherita pizza pairs beautifully with a crisp Italian white wine. Try a Pinot Grigio or Vermentino, whose bright acidity complements the tomato sauce while their subtle fruit notes enhance the fresh basil. If you prefer red wine, a light Chianti or Sangiovese works wonderfully, as their cherry notes and acidity balance the sweetness of the tomato sauce.

Pepperoni Pizza

The spicy, savory flavors of pepperoni call for a medium-bodied red wine with enough structure to stand up to the bold flavors. A Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or a Barbera from Piedmont are excellent choices, as their moderate tannins and juicy fruit flavors complement the spiciness without overwhelming it. For white wine lovers, try a fuller-bodied Chardonnay that can hold its own against the rich flavors.

Vegetable Pizza

For pizzas loaded with vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, reach for a herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc or a Grüner Veltliner. These wines have green, vegetal notes that echo the fresh vegetables. If you prefer red, a Pinot Noir offers earthy undertones that pair particularly well with mushrooms while remaining light enough not to overpower the vegetables.

Meat Lover's Pizza

Rich, meaty pizzas with toppings like sausage, bacon, and ground beef need a robust red wine to match their intensity. Look for a Syrah/Shiraz or a Zinfandel, whose peppery, smoky qualities and full body stand up to the hearty flavors. If you're feeling adventurous, a rich, malty craft beer can also be an excellent pairing option.

Dessert Pizza

For sweet pizzas topped with fruits, Nutella, or other dessert ingredients, consider a late-harvest Riesling or a Moscato d'Asti. Their sweetness matches the dessert while their bright acidity keeps the pairing from becoming cloying.

Remember, the most important rule in food and wine pairing is to drink what you enjoy. These suggestions are starting points, but personal preference always trumps traditional rules. Next time you order from Pizza Depot, why not try one of these pairings and turn your delivery into a gourmet experience?

The History of Pizza in Canada: A Delicious Journey

Pizza has become such an integral part of Canadian food culture that it's hard to imagine a time when it wasn't readily available from coast to coast. Yet, the story of how this Italian dish conquered Canadian palates is relatively recent and reflects the beautiful multicultural tapestry that defines our nation.

Early Beginnings

Pizza arrived in Canada primarily through Italian immigration, which saw significant numbers in the early 20th century. However, it remained largely confined to Italian communities in major cities like Toronto and Montreal until the post-World War II era. Many returning Canadian soldiers who had served in Italy brought back a taste for this unfamiliar food, creating the first wave of mainstream interest.

The 1950s-1960s: Pizza Goes Mainstream

The 1950s and 1960s marked the beginning of pizza's expansion beyond ethnic enclaves. The first documented pizzeria in Canada outside of Italian neighborhoods was Napoli Pizzeria, opened in Winnipeg in 1955. As television became commonplace in Canadian homes, exposure to American media and advertising further popularized pizza. In this era, most Canadians experienced pizza as a restaurant food or takeout option, with few preparing it at home.

The 1970s-1980s: The Franchise Boom

The 1970s saw the arrival of American pizza chains in Canada, with Pizza Hut entering the market in 1968, followed by other major players. Simultaneously, Canadian-born chains like Pizza Pizza (founded in Toronto in 1967) began their expansion. This period democratized pizza access, making it available in smaller towns and suburbs across the country. The introduction of delivery service further cemented pizza's place as a convenient meal option for busy Canadian families.

Canadian Pizza Innovations

As pizza became ingrained in Canadian food culture, regional variations began to emerge. The most famous Canadian contribution to pizza is undoubtedly the controversial Hawaiian pizza, topped with ham and pineapple. Created by Greek-Canadian Sam Panopoulos at his restaurant in Chatham, Ontario in 1962, it has sparked debates worldwide about acceptable pizza toppings. Other Canadian innovations include the donair pizza in Atlantic Canada, featuring sweet sauce and donair meat, and the uniquely Quebec-style all-dressed pizza with toppings like ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers.

Modern Canadian Pizza Culture

Today, Canada boasts one of the most diverse pizza landscapes in the world. From traditional Neapolitan pizzerias certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana to creative artisanal establishments experimenting with local Canadian ingredients, our pizza scene reflects our multicultural identity. The average Canadian consumes about 13 pounds of pizza annually, making it one of our most beloved foods.

At Pizza Depot, we're proud to be part of this rich Canadian pizza tradition, combining time-honored techniques with Canadian tastes and ingredients. Our journey parallels the larger story of pizza in Canada—a story of cultural exchange, innovation, and the universal love of good food shared with friends and family.

Healthier Pizza Choices: Enjoying Pizza as Part of a Balanced Diet

Pizza often gets labeled as junk food, but with the right approach, it can actually be part of a healthy, balanced diet. At Pizza Depot, we believe in providing options for all dietary preferences and needs, which is why we've put together this guide to enjoying pizza while maintaining your health goals.

The Base Matters

The crust forms the foundation of your pizza and offers several opportunities for healthier choices. Our whole wheat crust provides more fiber and nutrients than traditional white flour crusts. For those watching their carbohydrate intake, we also offer a cauliflower crust option that's lower in calories and carbs while being gluten-free. Thin crust pizzas naturally contain fewer calories than deep-dish or stuffed crusts, making them a smarter choice for calorie-conscious diners.

Strategic Sauce Selection

Traditional tomato sauce is actually quite healthy—tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease. Where sauce choices can become less healthy is with cream-based options like alfredo or garlic parmesan. These taste delicious but add significant calories and saturated fat. If you're watching your sodium intake, ask for light sauce, as pizza sauce can be high in salt.

Thoughtful Toppings

This is where you can really customize your pizza's nutritional profile. Loading up on vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals with minimal calories. For protein, consider leaner options like grilled chicken or Canadian bacon instead of pepperoni or sausage, which are higher in saturated fat and sodium. If you love cheese but are watching your fat intake, ask for light cheese—you'll still get the flavor with fewer calories.

Portion Control

Sometimes the healthiest choice is simply eating less. Consider ordering a small or medium pizza instead of a large, or if dining with others, limit yourself to one or two slices and pair it with a side salad. At Pizza Depot, we offer personal-sized pizzas that help with portion control while still satisfying your pizza craving.

Special Dietary Needs

We understand that many of our customers have specific dietary requirements. That's why we offer gluten-free crusts for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, and plant-based cheese and meat alternatives for our vegan and vegetarian customers. These options ensure that dietary restrictions don't have to mean missing out on pizza night.

Remember, enjoying food is an important part of a healthy relationship with eating. Pizza, when approached mindfully, can absolutely be part of a balanced diet. It provides carbohydrates for energy, protein for muscle repair, and can deliver vegetables and their associated nutrients in a delicious package.

Next time you order from Pizza Depot, try some of these healthier modifications—your body will thank you, and you won't have to sacrifice the pizza experience you love!

How Technology Is Transforming Pizza Delivery in Canada

The pizza delivery landscape in Canada has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by technological innovations that have revolutionized how customers order, track, and receive their favorite pies. At Pizza Depot, we've embraced these changes to provide a seamless, convenient experience for our customers across Canada.

The Evolution of Online Ordering

Remember when ordering pizza meant picking up the phone and speaking to someone at the restaurant? While that option still exists, digital ordering has become the preferred method for many Canadians. The journey from basic online forms to sophisticated mobile apps has been rapid and transformative.

Today, our responsive website and mobile app allow customers to browse our full menu, customize their orders with specific instructions, save favorite orders for one-click reordering, and pay securely—all without speaking to a single person. This shift not only provides convenience for customers but also reduces order errors and allows our staff to focus on preparing and delivering quality food.

Real-Time Order Tracking

One of the most appreciated technological advances in pizza delivery is real-time order tracking. Gone are the days of wondering, "Where is my pizza?" Our system provides updates at every stage—from order confirmation to preparation, baking, and delivery. GPS integration allows customers to track their delivery driver's location and receive accurate estimates of arrival time, reducing anxiety and improving the overall experience.

Payment Innovations

Payment technology has similarly evolved. Beyond traditional credit card payments, we now offer multiple digital payment options including mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, cryptocurrency payments in select locations, and contactless delivery payment options. These secure, convenient methods have been particularly valuable during the pandemic, minimizing physical contact during transactions.

AI-Powered Recommendations

Artificial intelligence is now enhancing the ordering experience through personalized recommendations. Our system analyzes previous orders and preferences to suggest items you might enjoy, optimal order timing based on your habits, and relevant promotional offers. This personalization creates a more tailored experience while introducing customers to menu items they might not have tried otherwise.

The Future of Pizza Delivery Technology

What's next for pizza delivery technology in Canada? Several exciting developments are on the horizon:

• Voice Ordering: Integration with smart speakers and virtual assistants to enable voice-activated ordering
• Advanced Delivery Methods: Testing of delivery drones and autonomous vehicles in certain markets
• Sustainable Packaging Technology: Development of eco-friendly packaging that maintains optimal food temperature and freshness
• Kitchen Automation: Robotics and AI systems to assist with food preparation, ensuring consistency and efficiency

At Pizza Depot, we're committed to embracing technological innovations that enhance the customer experience while maintaining the quality and personal touch that has made us a favorite across Canada. Our investments in technology aren't just about keeping up with trends—they're about providing the most convenient, reliable, and enjoyable pizza experience possible.

We invite you to experience our digital ordering system for yourself. Download our mobile app or visit our responsive website to place your next order and see how technology is transforming pizza delivery for the better!