In the bustling streets of New York City, a slice of hot pizza can be purchased for just one dollar. However, the city also boasts an extravagant pizza that commands a staggering price of $2,700, earning the title of the “most expensive pizza in the world” according to Guinness World Records.
This lavish creation, named “24K Gold,” measures a diameter of 12 inches and is particularly eye-catching thanks to its black crust adorned with edible gold leaf. Former head chef Braulio Bunay described the pizza in an interview with *Town & Country* as “the epitome of decadence.” He shared that the inspiration for this opulent dish came from the restaurant’s location near Manhattan’s financial district, aiming to reflect the luxury dining culture of New York City.
Industry Kitchen, located in downtown Manhattan, introduced the gold pizza in 2016 and was officially recognized by Guinness World Records the following year. This extraordinary pizza remains on the menu, but those wishing to experience it must place an order at least 48 hours in advance.
Alba Caraceni, a writer for the American food culture media outlet *Food Republic*, pointed out that the 24K gold leaf is just one component of the pizza’s luxury appeal. Five additional high-end ingredients significantly elevate the cost of the pizza, many of which are expensive due to their rarity and the difficulty in sourcing them.
The pizza’s crust is uniquely crafted with Italian flour mixed with squid ink, giving it a distinctive black hue. The chef then layers it with British White Stilton cheese and bakes it in a wood-fired oven. Once out of the oven, the pizza is generously topped with thick slices of French foie gras and freshly shaved truffles. The residual warmth from the crust is utilized to enhance the aromatic essence of the foie gras and truffles, followed by the lavish addition of 24K edible gold leaf sourced from both Germany and Ecuador.
Topping off this incredible dish are two types of rare caviar—Ossetra caviar from the Caspian Sea and the extraordinarily rare Almas caviar. The final touch is the delicate garnish of rose petals, culminating in this extravagant pizza masterpiece.
Caraceni further explains that the White Stilton cheese is the only reasonably priced ingredient among the luxurious toppings, costing approximately $35 per two pounds, excluding import fees. With a mild flavor complemented by a rich creaminess and a subtle touch of acidity, White Stilton requires meticulous production methods, as it must be made from cow’s milk sourced specifically from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, or Leicestershire in England.
The caviar used in the golden creation is another highlight. Ossetra caviar, harvested from Russian sturgeon, is a prized variety among luxury caviars. Even rarer is the Almas caviar, which comes from the Iranian beluga sturgeon, whose eggs can only be harvested from fish that are between 60 and 100 years old and exhibit albino characteristics.
Unlike the more common black caviar, Almas caviar’s larger eggs are pale yellow in color. This unique appearance, combined with its rarity, contributes to its status as a top-tier delicacy.
Regarding the price of foie gras, it is determined by the feeding practices and production costs associated with its cultivation. Foie gras is typically derived from ducks or geese that have been force-fed to enlarge their livers and accumulate fat, resulting in a rich, silky texture. However, this controversial method raises significant animal welfare concerns, leading some countries to prohibit its production, thus making foie gras more challenging to obtain.
Truffles, too, are difficult to come by, as they grow under very specific conditions and have limited growing locations. Cultivating truffles takes an extensive amount of time, and they must be located in the soil using the keen sense of smell of trained dogs or pigs, as they cannot simply be spotted with the naked eye.
Caraceni concludes by noting that edible gold typically requires a purity level of 90% or more, equivalent to 21.6K. However, Industry Kitchen sets a higher standard by using 99.9% pure 24K edible gold, emphasizing the exceptional quality of the ingredients used in this unparalleled pizza creation.