The name Raffanini combines the names of founder and pizzaiolo, Raffaele, and his wife Nini, reflecting the family values and shared passion that sit at the heart of the business.
At Raffanini, we believe great food brings people together.
Today, Raffanini serves weddings, birthdays, corporate functions and private events across Canberra and surrounding regions, bringing authentic Neapolitan-style pizza and genuine hospitality to every event.
Every pizza is hand-stretched and cooked fresh on-site using traditional techniques and a slow-fermentation dough. Unlike many mobile pizza operators, Raffanini does not use pre-made or par-baked bases.
More than just catering, Raffanini brings the theatre, aroma and atmosphere of live pizza making to every event, creating an experience guests remember long after the last slice is served.
Neapolitan-style pizza. Hand-stretched. Cooked live at your event.
Our Pizza. Your Place.
Who is Raffanini?
Meet Raffaele
For Raffaele, pizza has never been just food - it's about bringing people together, sharing experiences and creating memories around the table.
Driven by a passion for the traditions of Neapolitan pizza making, Raffaele has spent years refining his techniques, experimenting with ingredients and learning the traditions behind one of Italy's most iconic dishes.
What began years ago with a backyard oven and a desire to make great pizza for family and friends has grown into Raffanini, now a mobile pizza catering business focused on delivering exceptional food and memorable experiences.
Committed to preserving the traditions of Neapolitan pizza, Raffaele has completed specialist training and continues to develop and refine his craft, including experimenting with traditional fermentation methods to develop flavour and texture in his dough. Whether he's stretching dough, firing pizzas or chatting with guests, Raffaele loves being part of the occasion and sharing his passion for great pizza with others.
While Raffaele leads every event and oversees the pizza-making process, Nini plays an integral role in the business. Having grown up in a family restaurant, hospitality has always been part of her life. From preparing ingredients and topping pizzas during service to supporting the growth of Raffanini behind the scenes, she is involved in every stage of the journey.
Raffanini is also supported by family members who help bring each event to life, including Marcus, whose extensive hospitality experience helps ensure events run smoothly from setup through to the final pizza served.
Whether we're catering a wedding, birthday celebration, corporate function, community event, or a get together in your backyard, our goal remains the same - bringing people together through great food and great company.
Our Pizza. Your Place.
Origins of Neapolitan Pizza
To understand Raffanini, it helps to understand where Neapolitan pizza began.
Originating in Naples (Napoli), Italy, Neapolitan pizza is considered the birthplace of modern pizza. Developed as a simple and affordable meal for working families, it has become one of the world's most celebrated culinary traditions.
What makes Neapolitan pizza unique is its simplicity. Traditional dough is made using only a handful of ingredients — flour, water, salt and yeast — before being left to slowly ferment. This process develops flavour, texture and the light, airy crust that Neapolitan pizza is famous for.
The dough is then hand-stretched and topped with carefully selected ingredients before being cooked at extremely high temperatures, often exceeding 450°C. At these temperatures, a pizza cooks in as little as 60 to 90 seconds, creating the characteristic soft centre, light and airy internal structure, and crisp outer crust that Neapolitan pizza is famous for. The intense heat also produces the distinctive charred spots known as "leopard spotting", a hallmark of traditional Neapolitan pizza.
In 2017, the art of the Neapolitan pizzaiolo was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging generations of pizza makers who have preserved and passed on these traditional techniques.
At Raffanini, we draw inspiration from these traditions while bringing the experience directly to you.
Every pizza we serve reflects the craftsmanship, simplicity and passion that have made Neapolitan pizza famous around the world.
Traditional and Iconic Pizzas emerged
Pizza Marinara: Topped with san marzano tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, named ‘sailor-style’ for its long shelf-life and suitability for seafarers. And no, marinara pizza is not topped with seafood.
Pizza Margherita: According to legend, in 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, and pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito created a pizza with san marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the Italian flag.
The Margherita pizza became a symbol of national pride and culinary tradition.
