When:            Sunday, August 15th, Dinner time 5-8 pm

Where:           Laura and Nik Baltatzis house (Parkville, North East Baltimore)

Topic:             How to make a pizza – Step #1 – Build a Pizza Oven…

Ah, the torment this time of year of pizza.  On the one hand, it’s the perfect time to make pizza since there are endless amounts of fresh veggies to be had, most of which are fantastic in some manner on a pizza.  On the other hand, turning on your oven this time of year is insane.  You’re either paying for twice the AC or willing to turn your kitchen into a sweat lodge.  Many people have turned to grilling pizzas, a very tasty option.  But really, is there any better way to cook pizza than by slapping it directly on some nuclear hot masonry?  Which is where this potluck comes in.

You see, most of our potlucks up until now have been more about making a home cooked potluck dish and then bringing it to share.  This potluck is all about making the food right there on the spot. 

Here’s the deal: A) Food Makers provides a blazing hot outside brick pizza oven.  B) Food Makers provides a massive tub of homemade, sourdough-starter-based pizza dough, made by a few in the group.  C) You bring what ever you want as toppings for your pizza.  If you want cheese bring cheese - fresh veggies, great – meat, whatever you like – seafood, if you are so inspired.

Repeat: we give fire and dough, and you do whatever else you want with it. 

But you might be wondering how we’ve stumbled upon on outdoor brick pizza oven for the event.  Well here’s where it gets really fun.  Between now and August 15^th, a few of us in the group are building one – from scratch.  Think performance art meets flash mob meets DIY construction.  The oven’s going to be very basic, very temporary and nearly free.  We’ve already got our hands on a massive pile of bricks free from Craiglist.  This is guaranteed to be one of the uglier, cruder pizza ovens, but who’s keeping points for aesthetics.

In summary, who’s knows how well our pizza oven will work.  Maybe we’ll be left disappointed, staring at limp uncooked excuses for a pizza.  But maybe … just maybe … the oven will heat, the dough will rise and our bellies will be filled with plenty of chewy/crispy oil drenched, veggy loaded pizzas to call it a night.

A few administrative items:

All Food Makers, family and friends are invited (all ages welcome).  As always, the cost if FREE, just don’t forget bring your pizza toppings (including cheese if you want).  (And if you’re not a pizza fan, feel free to bring some other type of dish to share.  Also, if you’re gluten intolerant, you should probably bring your own dough or some other type of dish).  Also, bring anything you need to eat with, i.e. plate, utensils, napkins.  And the potlucks are BYOB so bring along whatever tasty beverage you desire.  Important: the address for the potluck will be emailed a couple of days before the potluck to everyone who signs up.