SLICE by Thom Elliot & James Elliot – Paperback Cookbook

SLICE is a compact paperback of more than 30 pizza recipes from Thom and James Elliot, the brothers behind London's Pizza Pilgrims, and it teaches proper Neapolitan dough and sauce before stacking on the toppings. It covers everything from a true Neapolitan pie made in a frying pan to a New York slice and a sweet Nutella pizza ring.

Pizza Pilgrims in your pocket

In 2012 the Elliot brothers quit their jobs and went to Naples to learn pizza from the source. What they brought home became Pizza Pilgrims, and this little book bottles that obsession. It's quick, cheeky and straight to the point: get the dough right, get the tomatoes right, then have fun.

What's inside

The first section covers the building blocks: tomatoes, fior di latte and mozzarella, parmesan, divisive ingredients and making pizza at home, including their frying-pan-and-grill method for anyone without an oven. Then comes the recipe stack, plus pizza equations, eating pizza and what to drink with it.

The pies range from Neapolitan salami with fire-roasted peppers, aubergine parmigiana, Fiorentina and kale, anchovy and chilli to the fiery Burrata Diavola and a calzone ripieno. There are crust dippers for the edges and the Nutella Ring to finish.

Who it's for

Pizza oven owners who want a reliable dough and a list of crowd-pleasers, and anyone without an oven who wants great pizza from a frying pan. It's small, affordable and a top stocking filler.

About Thom & James Elliot

Thom and James Elliot are brothers who left their jobs in 2012 for a pizza pilgrimage to Naples to learn the craft first-hand. They went on to found Pizza Pilgrims in London, which grew from a market stall into a chain of pizzerias.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

This is the one that fits in a coat pocket and still makes better pizza than half the shops in town. The frying pan pizza method is the treasure: no oven, just a hot pan and a grill, and you get a blistered, puffy crust in minutes. Pick it up and the delivery app can go walk the plank. Pair it with Joy of Pizza to dig deeper into dough and The Scarr's Pizza Cookbook for big New York slices. Drizzle BBQ Mafia Smoky Hot Honey over a pepperoni pie and thank me later.

Questions answered

Who wrote SLICE?

SLICE was written by brothers Thom and James Elliot, who founded the London pizzeria business Pizza Pilgrims after a pizza pilgrimage to Naples.

How many recipes are in SLICE?

It has more than 30 pizza recipes, plus guides to Neapolitan dough, tomato sauce, cheese and toppings.

Is SLICE good for beginners?

Yes. It starts with the basics and includes a frying-pan method, so you can make great pizza without a pizza oven.

Is SLICE a paperback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 128-page paperback published by Quadrille in 2023, small enough to make a great stocking filler.

Can I use SLICE with a pizza oven?

Yes. The Neapolitan-style recipes suit a pizza oven perfectly, and the frying-pan method covers anyone cooking without one.