Meet Chef Jose Barrios, the Master of Neapolitan Pizza – This week only at Chicago’s Alimentari Osteria

No Kidding , there is an Olympic Game for professional pizza makers around the world.　

The Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) hosts the annual Pizza Olympics each year in Naples, Italy, where some 40 pizza ovens are lined up outdoors and manned by the world's top pizzaioli, who compete to make the best pizza.

LA Chef Jose Barrios competed in the Pizza Olympics this past July and took third place, taking home a metal which proofs that he's one of the most skilled VPN pizzaioli in the US. You’ll have the unique opportunity to meet Chef Barrios and to try is award-winning pizzas this week only at Alimentari Osteria, 621 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Call 312-382-8880 for a reservation.

What does it take for pizza to be certified VPN? Under existing regulations (new ones have been proposed for Europe), the dough must be kneaded by hand or with a mixer approved by the association. After rising, the dough must be shaped by hand -- no rolling pins allowed. The pizza must be cooked on the bare volcanic stone surface of a bell-shaped, wood-fired pizza oven. Margherita, the most classic of the five pizzas VPN recognizes, must include tomatoes (imported San Marzano or fresh Italian plum tomatoes), extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella and pecorino Romano. Barbecued chicken pizzas and Hawaiian specials need not apply. It also must be served straight out of the oven.

You don't have to fly to Italy for a nice VPN pizza since of the 12 approved pizzerias in the U.S. , Chef Barrios, is now doing his magic at Alimentari Osteria.　​



Alimentari Osteria Features Special Wines of the Month at Grocery Prices

 

Alimentari Osteria (621 W. Randolph St., 312-382-8880), the recently opened traditional Italian eatery in the West loop, is featuring a collection of its exceptional wines for its Special Wines of the Month list. To build on its namesake theme, Alimentari (Italian for marketplace) will showcase select bottles of its Italian and domestic varietals for purchase without a high-priced restaurant markup.

This month, Alimentari features a robust selection of its reds, whites and sparkling wines. Two of the white wines featured are Corte Giara Chardonnay ($18) from the Veneto region, and a Kris Pinot Grigio ($19) from Alto Adige. For the red wine selection guests can enjoy a Decoy Merlot ($35) from Napa Valley, or a Tuscan Chianti ($21) from the wine makers Palladio. The sparkling wine selection is a Zardetto Private Cuvee Brut Prosecco ($18) from Italy.

Here is the entire Special Wines of the Month list:

 SPARKLING WINE

Zardetto Private Cuvee Brut, DOCG, Prosecco, Italy $18

WHITE WINE

2011- Corte Giara, Chardonnay, Veneto $18

2010- Decoy, Chardonnay, Sanoma $26

2010- La Marchesa, Gavi, DOCG $23

2011- Kris Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige $19

2011- Domaine Salvard Cheverny, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire $22

RED WINE

2011- Belle Glos Meiomi, Pinot Noir, California $27

2011- Decoy, Merlot, Napa Valley $35

2011- Chateau Les Arromans, Bordeaux $20

2009- Palladio, Chianti, Tuscany $21

2011- Felino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza $28