(Italian: [ˈpittsa], Neapolitan: [ˈpittsə]) is
a dish of Italian origin consisting of a usually round, flat base of
leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and often
various other ingredients (such as anchovies, mushrooms, onions,
olives, vegetables, meat, ham, etc.), which is then baked at a high
temperature, traditionally in a wood-fired oven.[1] A small pizza is
sometimes called a pizzetta. A person who makes pizza is known as a
pizzaiolo. In Italy, pizza served in a restaurant is presented
unsliced, and is eaten with the use of a knife and fork.[2][3] In
casual settings, however, it is cut into wedges to be eaten while held
in the hand. The term pizza was first recorded in the 10th century in
a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italian town of Gaeta in Lazio,
on the border with Campania.