When anyone thinks of pizza, those who follow the results of awards at least, think of Little Caesars Pizzeria in Mundaring, Western Australia. This outer-Perth pizzeria was the 2006 Las Vegas Italian Chef Wars Winner and regularly cleans up national and international awards for its knockout pizzas.

Now, I can hardly believe my luck, that owner-chef, pizzaiolo extraordinaire, Theo, is sharing so many of his secrets with us all! This new paperback version (the hardback sold out, and we not surprised) is more than just a cookbook. It is a heart-warming biography of how a young Greek migrant made it into the big-time of pizza making.

Regional food is a prime element in all Theo’s cooking and he pays homage to people such as Vince Gareffa from Mondo Meats, himself responsible for making local meats better known, Don Hancey  and other local food supporters. ‘Their names or products have gone into the mix when I am creating little Caesars pizzas,’ he says.

It’s all here, tips and techniques, and recipes from the baseline margherita to Theo’s extremely innovative dessert menus. We need never to send out for pizza again!

Theo & Co – the search for the perfect pizza, by Theo Kalogeracos, UWA Publishing, 2009, paperback, rrp A$34.95.