Dreams Come True: British University Allows Its Students to Study Pizza

Gaze upon the image before you. Looks so good, right? Some—and by “some” I mean me—might argue that pizza is one of humankind’s few creations worthy of worship. It’s unclear where England’s Manchester Metropolitan University stands on the issue of pizza deification, but it’s worth nothing that they are now permitting their students to study the subject.

Oh yes, pizza fans, you read that correctly. According to the Manchester Evening News, Pizza Hut “is planning to create 1,500 apprenticeships in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University.” In case you’ve already begun filling out an application to MMU, Cosmopolitan reports further:

“The cheesy course will be run over the next five years, with some students studying at the British university and others at actual Pizza Hut restaurants. The courses will focus on food production and financial analysis.”

Food production? Financial analysis? That’s all well and good, but what about “pizza taste analysis”? How will that critical subject matter be integrated into the coursework?

Kathryn Austin, director of Pizza Hut HR and marketing, explains that they intend the program to broaden the skill sets of all participants so that they extend beyond the purview of restaurant management. She tells the Manchester Evening News,

“ Over the next few years we will work hard to provide our apprentices and team members with the best training and development so that we can equip them with skills for life, not just for working in a restaurant.”

Cultivating a discerning palate, especially where pizza is concerned, is absolutely what I would call a “skill for life”! But point well taken, Ms. Austin. Thank you for your important role in the development of Pizza Studies.