Today is the 123rd anniversary of the naming of Pizza Margherita. In a letter dated 11 June, 1889 the Italian “Department of the Mouth” issued a letter on behalf of her majesty Queen Margherita, consort of King Umberto I, to thank Raphaele Esposito for presenting “three quality pizzas.” Legend has it the queen’s favorite was a pizza with mozzarella, tomato and basil – a pizza featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients. This dish now carries the queen’s name and helped pull pizza out of the slums and into the mainstream.
