DOUGH Pizzeria Napoletana - one of only 28 restaurants in the U.S. to be certified by Verace Pizzeria Napoletana Americas.

SAN ANTONIO/CASTLE HILLS, TX - On Tuesday, June 2, from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Peppe Miele, Master Pizziaola and Director of the Verace Pizzeria Napoletana Americas, will be in town to present Doug & Lori Horn, owners of DOUGH Pizzeria Napoletana, with certification that DOUGH meets the strict guidelines of preparing traditional Pizza Napoletana as set forth by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Americas and its parent organization, Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana based in Naples, Italy.

Much like the Italian Ministry of Agriculture protects Chianti, Parmesan, Mozzarella and certain Olive Oils by having been granted the DOC (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata), the members of the VPN lobbied for the Italian Government to also protect the Pizza Napoletana name, the brand and the product. In 1997, the Italian Government granted the DOC to Pizza Napoletana.

Doug Horn completed the required training, and since opening DOUGH, has followed the exact guidelines that are required in the preparation and cooking of an authentic Pizza Napoletana. Everything from the products used, to the preparation methods, to the type of pizza oven used are carefully monitored. DOUGH will receive certification that it has met and will continue to meet these exact standards.

Upon certification, DOUGH will be one of only four restaurants in Texas and one of an elite group of 28 restaurants in the United States to receive this prestigious certification. Since the opening of DOUGH Pizzeria Napoletana in November of 2007, DOUGH has been recognized by Food & Wine Magazine (June 2009) in an article titled “New Pizza Artisans.” Texas Monthly Magazine (February 2009) named DOUGH number two in the “Top Ten New Restaurants” in the state of Texas. San Antonio Express Newspaper gave DOUGH the ”Critic's Choice Award” for the Best Pizzeria in San Antonio and The Current awarded DOUGH the “Reader's Choice Award” for the Best Pizzeria in San Antonio. DOUGH has also been featured in San Antonio Woman, Inside M.D. and San Antonio Magazine. In March 2009, Lidia Bastianich, Italian chef/restaurateur, author, and host of the public television show-Lidia's Italy, while in San Antonio for a book signing, took time out of her busy schedule to dine and spend time with Doug & Lori Horn at DOUGH - a day that meant so much to them and one that they will never forget.

The June 2 certification is a special event not only for DOUGH; but for the city of San Antonio/Castle Hills as well. The owners are proud to be both a part of the VPN Association and to be a part of the close-knit community of San Antonio/Castle Hills.