To celebrate National Pizza Day on the February 9th, San Carlo have commissioned a survey to discover what the United Kingdom really thinks about pizza. We asked 2000 people what their most liked and disliked toppings were, how often they ate pizza and how they ate it. We made some interesting findings, read on to find out what they were.

According to the results, the nation’s overall favourite pizza topping is Margherita! This simple topping scored consistently highly across every single city, particularly in Leeds where 55% of people chose it as their favourite. It was also made clear that the country despises anchovies on pizza, with it being the most disliked topping for 13 out of the 15 cities surveyed. 

London is the city that eats the most pizza, with 15% of people eating it more than once a week compared to 8% for the nation as a whole. Southampton however eats the least pizza, with 24% of respondents there eating it less than once a month. The South West is the region that eats the least pizza, as 22% of people eat it less than once a month compared with 12% of the rest of the country.

We also uncovered some strong local preferences. It turns out that Newcastle has the highest preference for mushrooms on pizza in the whole country, with 55% of people choosing this topping as their most liked overall. On the other hand, Bristol dislikes Margherita the most, with it gaining just 7% of the votes, despite this being the nation’s favourite topping overall.

The data also shows a North-South divide in topping preference – Northerners are more likely to favour meaty toppings such as pepperoni, whereas Southerners favour more vegetables, such as mushrooms. Big cities such as London and Manchester are more likely to favour toppings like olives and anchovies, that are generally considered unlikeable by the nation as a whole. 

Our survey found that men are more likely to favour meaty toppings such as pepperoni, with 55% of men stating this was their favourite topping. Women on the other hand are more likely to favour vegetable toppings, proven by 44% of women voting for mushrooms as their most liked. The largest disparity in the data between men and women was regarding pepperoni, with 35% of women saying they liked it compared to 51% of men! Women are also more likely to have strong dislikes towards toppings than men.

When looking at age range differences, it’s clear that younger people eat more pizza. 40% of 25-34 year olds eat pizza once a week, compared to 21% of 55-64 year olds. The favourite pizza topping of people under 35 is Margherita, with 52% of their vote going towards it. We also discovered a notable increase in dislike for jalapenos at the age of 45! 

In terms of eating methods, the most popular way of eating pizza is sliced and eaten with hands, with 68% of people favouring this method. 65 year olds and above are mostly like to eat pizza with a knife and fork, as are people in the South West of England. 18-24 year olds are more than twice as likely to roll or fold their pizza than other age ranges.

Aldo Zilli, Consultant Chef at San Carlo Restaurants said: “Some people might think a Margherita is boring, but it’s not, it’s all my family crave and just as popular at San Carlo’s collection of restaurants. Think of pizza as an edible plate; It’s all about using the best ingredients you can, the right mozzarella, the best tomatoes and dough. Pizzas have come a long way since I arrived in this country; I’m just relieved it’s Margherita and not pineapple!!”

To read more, download the full survey report here.

So, it’s clear that the best pizza topping according to the UK is a simple Margherita, which is a strong favourite here at San Carlo too. Or, if like those in Manchester you love pepperoni, why not try our Pizza Rustica Piccante, with Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage, pepperoni, Tuscan sausage, chilli, tomato and rocket?

Check out our menu, book a table and eat a delicious pizza to celebrate National Pizza Day with us.

San Carlo Unveils Plans for Exclusive Fumo Restaurant, Champagne and Cocktail Bar at Selfridges Birmingham

The multi-award winning Italian restaurant company, San Carlo Group, today unveils plans for its new Fumo restaurant, champagne and cocktail bar which is set to open at Selfridges Birmingham next month.

Fumo will be located in Selfridges on the 4^th floor with stunning views overlooking the iconic Bullring. It follows the successes of the award winning Fumo at Waterloo Street in the city and the much loved original San Carlo restaurant on Temple Street, which is about to celebrate its 25th year of trading.

Designs for the lavish, £1m 3,000 sqft new Fumo include:

• a uniquely shaped grand marble bar and feature wine displays
• solid marble tables and interior clad in fine honed Italian Arabescato marble
• bespoke, hand stitched Italian leather seating will hug the curve of the balcony area

The interior has been individually designed bringing together the very best Italian materials and craftspeople to create a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, avoiding the elaborate and ostentatious in favour of refined simple luxury, to ensure the focus is on incredible food and ingredients.

The restaurant will serve an all-day menu of delicious, regional Italian small plate dishes to share or eat alone and the feature bar will specialise in cocktails and Laurent Perrier champagne. As with all San Carlo restaurants, attention to detail is of utmost importance, all dishes will be made using only the finest ingredients, with many flown in from produce markets in Milan and Sicily.

Commenting on the forthcoming opening, Marcello Distefano, Managing Director of San Carlo Group said: “When we opened Fumo on Waterloo Street, it was an entirely new concept, 5 years on, we’re thrilled with its success, and the recognition its received for the style of dishes and cocktails served there. Based on that success we went on to open Fumo St Martins Lane, London. Now, we’re excited to reveal our plans for Fumo, especially on this grand scale and in such an iconic space. Most importantly, the emphasis, as ever, will be on fantastic food and drinks, we want people to have a great and memorable experience when they join us.”

The new Fumo will be the third Selfridges San Carlo Group restaurant – San Carlo Bottega and Gran Cafe are situated within Selfridges Exchange Square, Manchester.

Bruce Langlands, Selfridges Food and Restaurants Director said:

“The San Carlo group are renowned for creating and providing exceptional restaurant experiences across the country, we are so excited to be bringing their FUMO concept into our iconic Birmingham department store. We look forward to welcoming our customers to the newly designed and refurnished fourth floor dining space”

Fumo is set to open next month (October) and will open:

Monday – Weds  10am – 8pm

Thursday            10am – 9pm

Friday                10am – 9pm

Saturday             9am – 9pm

Sunday               11am – 530pm

The multi-award winning Italian restaurant company, San Carlo Group today announces it’s to further expand operations in Birmingham.

The Italian family owned and run group which has 17 leading UK restaurants, including the original and hugely popular San Carlo on Temple Street and Fumo on Waterloo Street, is to open a Fumo restaurant, champagne and cocktail bar at Selfridges in Birmingham this Autumn.

Fumo will be located in Selfridges on the 4^th floor with stunning views overlooking the iconic Bullring. With a nod to the popular and critical success of its Fumo restaurants in Birmingham, Manchester and St Martins Lane, London, Fumo will serve delicious, seasonal Italian small plate dishes to share or eat alone and a feature bar will specialise in cocktails and Laurent Perrier champagne.

The £1m restaurant will be the third Selfridges San Carlo Group restaurant – San Carlo Bottega and Gran Café are situated within Selfridges Exchange Square, Manchester.

The Group’s success has been built on providing original Italian food using the freshest produce, much of which is flown in from markets in Milan and Sicily. It is this passion for food and attention to detail that has seen Fumo on Waterloo Street scoop several awards since its

launch 5 years ago including Best Italian Restaurant at the BFDH Awards and Les Routiers Restaurant of the Year.

A further 16 individually designed venues are located in Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Leeds, Roundhay, Bristol, Leicester and London and further afield diners enjoy San Carlo restaurants in Qatar, Bahrain and Bangkok.

www.sancarlofumo.co.uk

Join us at the Ideal Home show at Event City in Manchester June 8th-11^th when our our Executive Chef Filippo Pagani will be demonstrating how to make some super summery Italian dishes. If you’ve always wanted to know how to make a scallop and pea risotto or want the inside scoop on making your own ravioli then join Filippo at 11am every day in the live demo area.

Our afternoon tea at Selfridges in Manchester has been described as the best in Manchester and now it’s even better. Our new Master Pattiserie Chef adds his flourish to each element and the result is delicious and spectacular, with delicate cakes, fancies and the best cream scones in town!

Why not join us for afternoon tea at Gran Cafe this Easter, we’re open every day.

You can experience the ultimate in decadent pairings with our new Laurent Perrier champagne and caviar menu at Bottega in Selfridges, Manchester. 

Pull up a chair at our feature bar and choose from rose or brut champagnes by the glass or bottle, paired perfectly with either Imperial Gold caviar or Queen scallops, belissimo. #seeyouathebar

We’re excited to announce plans for Pizza Madre, our new restaurant for Manchester.
Set to open late spring on King Street West, opposite our flagship San Carlo, Pizza Madre will serve traditional Neapolitan pizza cooked in a wood fired oven. Rotisserie chicken, delicious sides, Italian craft beers and great value wines will also be on the menu. Keep an eye on our social pages for the latest news.

Facebook @SCPizzaMadre
Instagram @SC_PizzaMadre
Twitter @SC_PizzaMadre

Have you heard about FEAST?

Our new British woodland themed pop-up restaurant and bar on King St West in Manchester is off to a flying start.

From pies to stews, game dishes, colossal burgers and the now famous sharing Sunday roast, FEAST is open from noon until late every day, serving the best in British winter warming comfort food by Champion of the North, Chef Robert Owen Brown.

It’s not all about the food, FEAST serves bespoke hot toddies, winter warming cocktails, beers, spirits and wines…our secret egg nog recipe is a must try!

But don’t hang around, FEAST is a pop-up, we’ll be open through Christmas and New Year’s Eve and set to close early January.

Reservations aren’t always required at FEAST, just call in for a drink and stay a while, if you choose to eat, we promise you won’t go home hungry.

What they’re saying

“Absolutely immense and delicious”

Simon Binns, Editor, Manchester Evening News, What’s On

“A wonderful winter FEAST”

Chris Greenhalgh, Publisher, I Love Manchester

“My favourite food news of the winter, Rob Owen Brown Joins San Carlo for a winter pop-up FEAST”

Neil Sowerby, Manchester Confidential

47, King Street West

0161 839 1929