Food is a transformative experience. Many talented culinary experts have scoured the entire world in search of the best ingredients, recipes, and inspiration to elevate their craft. One of the world’s most popular dishes is the Italian staple we all know and love: pizza. With so many interpretations of this beloved cuisine, Master PizzaChef Francesco Calò has dedicated much of his life’s work towards elevating the dish into a true culinary experience. Bringing everything he has learned to the table, he founded Via Toledo Enopizzeria to show the world what pizza could be when made with love, passion, and, above all, mastery.
Born in Apulia, Southern Italy, in 1986, Francesco Calò grew up surrounded by sacks of flour, thrust into a family of bakers. He discovered his passion for food at a young age. Upon completing his studies, he worked at his family’s bakery despite wanting to enlist in the police force. Eventually, he got the opportunity to join the Coast Guard and serve in the Rimini Harbour Office, far from the smells and creativity of baking.
Throughout his time in the Coast Guard, Francesco Calò realized something was deeply missing. Much like a lost love, the constant pull of his baking roots continuously hounded Francesco, leading him to leave the Coast Guard and begin studying the culinary arts. He vowed to work on creatively interpreting Neapolitan Pizza, obtaining his master’s and Neapolitan Pizza instructor qualifications along the way.
Taking a leap of faith and diving into the prospects of his own gastronomic brainchild, Chef Calò moved to Vienna to export his business idea. Leaving everything he has ever known behind and taking a gamble on himself, Chef Calò was in uncharted territory. Fortunately, through hard work, dedication, and talent, he was able to establish Via Toledo Enopizzeria in November 2016, thus, marking the beginning of his lifelong dream.
Via Toledo Enopizzeria is a niche Neapolitan wine pizzeria situated at the heart of Vienna. The concept seamlessly combined Neapolitan pizza with perfect wine pairings, elevating the cuisine to an entirely different level. Since opening Via Toledo, Chef Calò has earned international recognition and the love of his many customers.
Throughout the years, Via Toledo has earned several accolades in the culinary industry, earning the highly coveted “Golden Fork” as acknowledged by several Austrian national food guides for the brand’s excellence. The “Golden Fork” is a distinction often awarded to restaurants dubbed “Best of Austria,” solidifying Via Toledo’s place as a prominent brand on the global stage.
In 2019, Chef Calò participated in the National Championship of Pizza Doc, held in Nocera Inferiore. After two days of competition, more than 350 competitors, and a hidden jury, he took home the very prestigious prize of “Best Italian Pizzaiolo in the World.” Several accolades soon followed once Chef Calò made his return to Vienna.
In 2020, Via Toledo was awarded “Best Pizzeria in Austria,” “Second-Best Pizzeria in Europe,” “Best Performance of the Year,” and “Best Wine List” by the prestigious Italian ranking “50 Top Pizza.” The year after, Chef Calò rode the waves of his recent success by earning the title of “Best Pizzeria in Austria 2021” and the “Second-Best Pizzeria in the whole Europe,” in addition to “Best Beer Service 2021.”
With all the success he has amassed over the years, Chef Francesco Calò officially became the true pride of Italy and Italian cuisine, achieving massive success in a foreign market. Passionate about all things involving cuisine and the culinary arts, Chef Calò is known for studying the chemical processes of food and the meticulous balance of ingredients.
Thus, he personally created his own blend of flours dubbed “Intensa.” The blend bears Chef Calò’s trademark, guaranteeing a natural, healthy, tasty and unique pizza through different kneading techniques.
Nowadays, Chef Calò has exported his business model to the beautiful city of Dubai. Aiming to establish his brand in UAE, Chef Calò offers a new base of customers with an unparalleled culinary experience with Via Toledo. Elevating the art of pizza for food enthusiasts everywhere and matching it with the finest wines, Chef Calò and Via Toledo have successfully crafted pizza perfection in more ways than one.
