Harri Syrjänen's pizza oven experience: "I can't remember the last time I ordered pizza for delivery"

Professional chef Harri Syrjänen was excited to test out a pizza oven. After his testing, we got to ask him about his experience. In this article, we share what the top chef thought about using a pizza oven and pass along Syrjänen's tips for making the perfect pizza.

The Basics Are Everything

Syrjänen cooks not only professionally but also at home on weekdays. He describes himself as an adventurous cook. Testing new things is something he enjoys. Whether it's a new or old recipe, he always wants to get the basics right. "You can't start improvising if you don't have the fundamentals down," he says.

This applies to making pizza as well, according to him.

Pizza's Transformation in Finland

Syrjänen says he's been interested in pizza for a long time. When he delved deeper into Neapolitan pizza culture, a new perspective on making and understanding pizza opened up to him. The role of the dough in pizza grew in importance.

According to him, Neapolitan pizzas also changed how other Finns approach pizza. Before, many Finns would throw whatever they found in the cupboard onto their pizza, and the dough was forgotten. Syrjänen believes the most important thing in making pizza is a good foundation. This consists of the dough, sauce, and high-quality, carefully selected ingredients. He also reminds us not to overload the pizza with toppings so the base bakes properly.