Theo's pizza perfection coming to your plate
Pastry chef Theo Kalogeracos never thought he would be an author or attending a festival like the Big Sky Readers and Writers.
Kalogeracos is a master pizza chef and owner of Perth’s three Little Caesars Pizzerias.
He was named the 2010 World Champion Pizza Maker at the Las Vegas Pizza Show.
Kalogeracos dropped out of school in Year 10 and admits he had no interest in writing.
Now, he has two titles to his name, Theo and Co: The Search for the Perfect Pizza and the recently released Theo and Co. Take 2: The Search for the Perfect Pizza Continues.
Kalogeracos discovered a passion for writing when travelling for pizza competitions.
In his spare time he would write down recipes and what he had done that day.
Kalogeracos said when approached about doing a book he discovered he already had the material.
“I said well I got this and showed them my notes — I didn’t even have a computer, it was all handwritten with no full stops,” he laughed.
The Greek foodie has a link to Geraldton.
His grandparents were tomato farmers in Geraldton when they first immigrated to Australia.
Kalogeracos describes his creations as contemporary Australia pizzas.
“I am not Italian and I am not going to pretend to be,” he said.
“Australians have a really good palate, so whatever I do I make sure it is authentic.
“They know good Chinese, they know good Indian — so if I make a red curry pizza, I make it real.”
When it comes to pizzas he thinks outside the box and his dessert pizzas are some of his favourite works, including the Mud Honey pizza.
“That was the first one I took to another level,” he said.
“It holds a soft spot in my heart and I feel like no one can mess me with that one.”
Kalogeracos said there was no secret recipe to success other than not being afraid to work hard.
“I did not invent pizza or the pizza shop but I do the best I can with what I have got,” he said.
“I worked hard, had some luck and now I have a book,” he said.
Theo and Co. Take 2 will be launched at the opening of the Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival on September 14 at 5.30pm.
A cooking demonstration with Kalogeracos will be held on Saturday, September 15 from 10am at Durack Institute.
Tickets are $35.
A Dinner at Durack with Kalogeracos will be held later that evening from 6.30.
Tickets are $120.
Bookings are essential for both events.
Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival will be held from September 14 to 16.
For a full event program visit www.library.cgg.wa.gov.au/.
