Cresci gets certificate for making authentic Naples pizza

Cresci's story began 12 months ago - just as the Covid pandemic was taking grip and the nation locked down.

But owner Berardo Caggiano was determined to plough ahead and bring verace pizza Napoletana - real Neapolitan pizza as enjoyed in Naples - to the people of York.

He opened Cresci at 20 Piccadilly, in the former Pavers shoe store, last April, and uses authentic ingredients imported from Italy and traditional methods including a pizza oven brought over from Naples. "Everything is according to tradition and we keep it as simple as possible," says Berardo.

Cresci in Piccadilly, York

And his efforts have paid off. Not only is Cresci a storming success - and voted the best pizza in town in an online poll - but Cresci has been acknowledged by True Neapolitan Pizza Association in Naples as "true Neapolitan pizza makers" - one of only eight in the UK.

So congrats to Berardo and his team at Cresci - our Trader of the Week. If you would like to nominate a local trader then click here to tell us their story. If you are a local trader with something to shout about, you can also send in a nomination. You will find our online form at www.yorkpress.co.uk/trader/

We asked Berardo to tell us more about Cresci...

How long has the business been going?

We first opened our doors in April 2020, during the very first national lockdown due to the current pandemic.

What does it sell?

We specialise in what is called 'verace pizza Napoletana' (real Neapolitan pizza), which is the traditional type of pizza one can find in Naples as well as throughout the Campania region. We also make traditional starters like the popular pasta frittatinas (tasty batter-fried pasta discs) and desserts such us the loved rum babà and more.

What is special about the business?

We think our business is special when it comes to pizza. We rigorously follow the traditional recipe for the dough; we research genuine, simple and, when possible, certified ingredients for our pizza toppings like DOP or IGP (these are labels of certification) products; we also use the traditional equipment - our golden pizza oven is the prime example of that.

How has it adapted during the Covid-19 crisis?

We intended to, and still do, trade mainly on a table service basis. However the pandemic arrived before we could officially open. So, a bit discouraged but not desperate, we decided to start trading anyway, adapting to the available options: takeaway for the most part. The response was immediate and surprisingly positive. Many people in the community and beyond have been visiting and, most importantly, coming back since then. This has allowed us to survive the terrible pandemic.

Special pizza oven at Cresci

Has it won any awards?

About six months after we opened, we were acknowledged by True Neapolitan Pizza Association in Naples as 'true Neapolitan pizza makers'. This association is recognised and trusted worldwide; their mission is to make sure the UNESCO recognised heritage of 'Neapolitan pizza making' and, consequently, Neapolitan pizza itself, remains traditional, which is what we do. This represented a very prestigious achievement for us. To date, in fact, there are only about 850 pizzerias with this certification in the world; only eight in the U.K.

What is your favourite story about this business?

In February, an online site launched a survey asking people to name the best pizza place in York and we were voted as #1! Obviously, we consider this as a huge achievement and one of the best things to remember as it showed us how much people love what we do. After not even a year from our opening, it can only make us very proud.

If you would like to nominate a local trader then click here to tell us their story. If you are a local trader with something to shout about, you can also send in a nomination. You will find our online form at www.yorkpress.co.uk/trader/