"Bello has mastered a recipe for dough and a method for getting his oven appropriately hot... The results are on par with what you get out of the city's better artisanal pizza shops. Better still, they can be reproduced in any kitchen."
The NY Daily News
“I just wanted to say thanks! We really, really enjoyed the class and learned a lot. I was impressed with the professionalism and thoroughness of the class; we both thought you did an excellent job. I'm a teacher myself, so I mean that when I say it.”
Patrick H.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
"I'm not just talking about learning to make pizzas at home. I'm talking about making pizzas that are better than 99.9 percent of the pizzas you'll ever have at a pizzeria or delivered to your home. And Mark Bello will teach you how to make them."
Epicurious.com
“We just wanted to say thanks for a wonderful class in pizza making this past Saturday. It was very intuitive and the cooking stories were great. Plus the class was small so you got to know your other classmates and also got to know you. The next day on Sunday I made pizza for my friends. Let me just say, you will be having a couple of new students soon, it was that good!”
Michael P.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Thanks so much for such an awesome class yesterday. We had so much fun and were amazed by how much we learned! We also enjoyed the sense of camaraderie fostered in the class -- everyone was so nice and so proud of their pizzas. It was totally one of the most fun things I've done in 13 years of living in the city.”
Adam O.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“It was a great learning experience and I would certainly recommend this to anyone who loves pizza! Mark Bello is a very creative and energetic chef. He taught us the secrets of creating the thin-crusted pizza that everyone loves.”
Marlene Iaciofano
President, Gourmet Getaways
Morristown, NJ
“Pizza a Casa is one of those rollicking good dinner parties that is sure to win the gastronomical affection of both food geeks and non-foodies alike. Mark Bello is utterly and completely in love with pizza, almost intoxicatingly so. I swear he doesn't spike the sauce, but don't be surprised if you come away a pizzaholic yourself.”
Anne Saxelby
Owner, Saxelby Cheesemongers
New York, NY
“Thank you again for the brilliant time I had last week. For months I've been threatening to leave my job and open a pizzeria; after your class, I just might do it...”
Raj D.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Thanx for a fun day of learning and eating in a relaxed atmosphere and thank you for your generosity of spirit. I'll be more than happy to talk you up among my friends.”
Rick S.
Pizza a Casa student
Morristown, NJ
“We just wanted to let you know how grateful we are to have met you. After you taught us how to make and handle the dough we felt so much more confident about making pizzas at our restaurant. Now we're making KICK ASS pizzas that are selling like crazy!!!! Honestly the pizzas are perfect and we're having a blast with this new addition to our restaurant.”
Ed and Danielle M.
Pizza a Casa students and owners of Izzie’s Eatery
Medford, NJ
“My girlfriend and I took your class a few months ago and really loved it. We have since made pizza for our family and friends and they all rave about it! We've taken a bunch of different cooking classes, but yours has been the most valuable one. Thank you!”
Gavin M.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
"Mark can attest that the only thing I could say the first time I had his pizzas was, "Oh my gosh, this is like, REAL pizza!" Since then, I've learned that it's even better. Before that day, I had never seen anyone master the art of making pizza at home. Now, I'm not only a believer, but I'm a pizza maker, myself. Mark is truly detail-oriented-- and you see this in his perfect crusts, innovative toppings, and careful instruction. Learning how to make pizza from Mark has been hands-down one of the most rewarding culinary experiences I've ever had."
Nora Singley
Assistant Chef, The Martha Stewart Show 2007 to present
New York, NY
“The class was fantastic! I'm recommending it to everyone I know. Really a lot fun and delicious pizzas! I can't wait to make my first ones at home!”
James W.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Just wanted to say thanks again for the great class yesterday-- the day was informative and fun. I wish all cooking classes were like this. All the pizzas were delicious and, though my stomach was bulging on the way home, somehow I found myself heating up a couple of slices at about 9 pm! (My boyfriend ate three, cold and right out of the box, as soon as I came home) Your infectious enthusiasm (in addition to your expertise) really makes this class special. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm looking forward to my first pies at home.”
Kathy S.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Mark's class gave me a chance to learn artisan pizza from a true New York pizza artist. He has a contagious passion for pizza, and it made for a fantastic experience learning with him and the other students. Even though I had already worked as a pizza maker I can honestly say his class helped me improve my technique and the quality of my pies. Thanks, Mark!”
Michael G.
Pizza a Casa student
Jersey City, NJ
”Mark – just wanted to let you know that my husband Stephen has been astounding his family with the amazing pizzas he’s made since taking your class. When he pulled out some dough from the freezer that he had made “pre-class”, it didn’t compare. Thanks so much!”
Pat T.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Mark's class was so much fun, as well as being interesting and informative. Even though my husband and I are both long-time New Yorkers, the walk through Little Italy and Chinatown opened our eyes to many new places, and stores that were great sources of ingredients. Mark is a wonderful teacher. He is knowledgeable, encouraging and so patient. The class was very well organized - not a moment (or ingredient) was wasted. We came home with boxes of pizza (during the class we couldn't eat all the pizzas that we made) and we happily finished them over the next few days. I encourage everyone who THINKS they can make pizza, and those who have never tried, to take this class.”
Flora and Ted B.
Pizza a Casa students
New York, NY
"If you think you need a wood-burning oven to make restaurant-quality pizza at home, then Mark Bello has something to teach you. Through his company, Pizza a Casa, Bello shows aspiring pizzaiolos how to cook perfect pies in even the shoddiest of apartment ovens."
Tasting Table NYC
“When the Christie's wine department decided to host a horizontal tasting of 1997 Brunello di Montalcino in our Rockefeller Center boardroom, we went to Mark for the catering. He worked closely with our team of wine specialists to create a 6 course pizza tasting menu (and antipasti) that would complement each flight of Brunello. The evening was a success on many levels. Mark tailored a perfect menu to our needs and his professionalism, flexibility, and enthusiasm were all top notch. We wouldn't hesitate to use him again.”
Charles Antin
Christie's Wine Department
New York, NY
"It should be said that Mark Bello is knocking on the door of every place over which we all argue as "the best pizza in NYC." Mark is sharing something of incredible value in this economic climate: he is teaching people the art of pizza self-sufficiency"
Randy L.
Pizza a Casa student
New York, NY
“Mark helped me to organize my 29th birthday celebration – a sublime pizza & specialty beer tasting/pairing extravaganza for about 20 of my closest friends. He worked with me to come up with a list of 7 mouthwatering pizzas made with the freshest and most delicious ingredients found here in NYC. The mood was joyous and the party a complete success! It was by far my favorite birthday celebration of all my 29 years - in fact, my friends are still talking about it months later! A pizza party with Mark is a unique and fantastic event filled with decadence and deliciousness and guaranteed to please anyone who enjoys good food!”
Nell I.
Pizza a Casa client
New York, NY
"I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mark and Pizza a Casa. He catered my baby shower and the whole event was absolutely perfect. Mark created a "parade" of seven different pizzas and all my guests were raving about every single one (the antipasti were a huge hit as well.) Mark and his staff were professional, courteous and fun. A truly special and incredibly delicious time was had by all!"
Tamara T.
Pizza a Casa client
New York, NY
"I hosted a party after an art opening and asked Mark to cater it. All of my guests were ecstatic to have savored Mark's exquisite creations. Everyone gathered around the kitchen waiting for the next perfect pie. Mark's an artist and it shows, and his ability to entertain while teaching is a rare and special talent."
Tony Wight
Tony Wight Gallery
Chicago, IL
“Off the charts pizza party for the PMYC! Mark and Pizza a Casa produced fabulous pies for 100+ hungry boaters for a pizza fueled evening of fun and festivity at our yacht club headquarters.”
Tony Milazzo
Social Director, Pacific Mariners Yacht Club
Marina del Rey, CA
