These additions were not initially very popular. Back then, Panopoulos would drive to Detroit for a taste of the cheese-topped pie.“[Then] we bought a little oven and learned how to make pizza,” he says. [23], According to a 2019 YouGov Omnibus survey, 12% of Americans who eat pizza say that pineapple is one of their top three favorite pizza toppings, and 24% say that pineapple is one of their least favorite toppings. In the early 60s, says Panopoulos, pizza was considered ethnic food, an Italian-American curiosity that adventurous Canadians would try when they crossed the border. As far as iconic Canadian dishe s go, Hawaiian Pizza is a new one. And I stand behind this delicious Southwestern Ontario creation. The Canadian man behind the invention of the Hawaiian pizza has passed away at the age of 83. But in those days there was no way you could mix flavours,” says Panopoulos. It was not the most disliked topping however, as ingredients were even more widely unpopular in the survey: anchovies and eggplant. This article is more than 3 years old. And we started serving it that way. Variations may include bacon in place of or in addition to the ham, but Panopoulos says that his major contribution was simply adding the pineapple. [21], A 2015 review of independent UK takeaways operating through Just Eat found the Hawaiian pizza to be the most commonly available. [24], Pizza variety usually topped with pineapple and ham, List of pizza chains of the United States, "Meet the 81-Year-Old Greek-Canadian Inventor of the Hawaiian Pizza", Canadian inventor of Hawaiian pizza defends pineapple after Iceland's president disses fruit topping, Canadian inventor of the Hawaiian defends pineapple after Iceland president sneers at fruit on pizza, "The Man Who Invented Hawaiian Pizza Has Died", "Herrn Paulsens Deutschstunde: Toast Hawaii", "The 13 Most Influential Pizzas of All Time", "Pineapple on pizza is easy to hate — at least in theory", "The pizza guy's at the door. Despite its tropical name, Hawaiian pizza is actually a Canadian creation. By the mid 60s, Satellite Restaurant (now under different ownership) had been serving pizza for a few years, although Panopoulos, now 82,  says the dish was still a novelty for Canadians, who at the time topped their pies conservatively. The father of Hawaiian pizza, Sam Panopoulos, is neither a Hawaiian nor an Italian, but he is a Greek. © Corus Entertainment Inc., 2020. Celebrities shared their preferences on the matter,[13][14][15][16] including Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who expressed support for Hawaiian pizza by tweeting: “I have a pineapple. Panopoulos didn’t stop with pizza. And I stand behind this delicious Southwestern Ontario creation. Despite its tropical name, Hawaiian pizza is actually a Canadian creation. Panopoulos is the Canadian man who invented Hawaiian pizza, a dish so divisive it led to a presidential outburst this year. Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada by a Greek immigrant, who was inspired by Chinese food to put a South American ingredient on an Italian dish, that went on to be most popular in Australia Hawaiian pizza is a pizza topped with tomato sauce, cheese, pineapple, and back bacon or ham. He passed away in hospital suddenly on Thursday. Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton and More Celebs Weigh In", "I have a pineapple. According to Time, the Hawaiian pizza was invented in 1962 by a man named Sam Panopoulos, a native of Greece who ran a pizza place in Canada. [8][9][10], In 2014, Time listed Hawaiian pizza first on its list of "The 13 Most Influential Pizzas of All Time". Inspired in part by his experience preparing Chinese disheswhich commonly mix sweet and savoury flavours, Panopoulos experimented with adding pineapple, ham, bacon and other toppings. Sam Panopoulos claimed that he created the first Hawaiian pizza at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada in 1962. He started a pizza restaurant because his hometown in Ontario didn’t have one. Be the first to know about brand-new shows, the freshest recipes and exciting contests. And he looks a lot like Alexander Ovechkin", "Capitals' Ovechkin delivers pizza, says his favorite kind is Hawaiian", "Is Pineapple Acceptable on Pizza? Hawaiian Pizza Origins Fun fact, Hawaiian Pizza did not originate from Hawaii. Sam immigrated to Canada when he was 20 years old, and opened a restaurant with his brothers, selling some traditional American fast food, such as burgers and French fries. Australia even named it as the most popular pizza, a report by West Australian tells us. “I had pineapple in the restaurant and I put some on, and I shared with some customers and they liked it. The pineapple-laden pie is the brainchild of retired cook, Sam Panopoulos, who first served pineapple on pizza at Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ont. These additions were not initially very popular. Corus Lifestyle. Despite the name and tropical ingredients, Hawaiian pizza did not originate in Hawaii -- it was actually invented by a Greek immigrant who owned a casual restaurant in Ontario, Canada. Who would have guessed? But it’s this spirit, exemplified by Sam Panopoulos and other culinary innovators, that has expanded Canadian cuisine beyond maple syrup and bacon, to represent the cultural diversity that makes this country — and its cuisine — great. [11][12], In 2017, Icelandic president Guðni Th. Hawaiian pizza? It turns out a Canadian-invented pizza has been deemed the most popular pizza in the U.S. for 2020. Hawaiian pizza is from Canada (!!) What’s Hawaii Got To Do With This? Grubhub's "Taste of 2020" report has crowned Hawaiian Pizza as "America's Favorite Pizza," after the report showed an increase making the pizza 689% more popular than last year. Sotirios (Sam) Panopoulos died “suddenly” on Thursday, June 8, at University Hospital in London, Ontario according to an online obituary. Eventually even Hawaiian cooks added pineapple to dishes like Spam-fried rice, partly to placate expectant tourists, and partly for the delicious freshness pineapple adds to starch-heavy, pork-heavy, fried Hawaiian comfort food. It was invented in 1962 by a Greek guy who owned a pizzeria in Ontario, Canada. According to legend, Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant who moved to Canada in 1954, created the first Hawaiian pizza just over the Michigan border in Chatham, Ontario. I have a pizza. A pizza invented in Canada has been deemed the most popular pizza in the U.S, based off the annual Grubhub end of year report. [4][19] Guðni later clarified that he did not have the power to ban particular toppings on pizza and would not like to live in a country where the leader could ban anything he or she did not like. Canadians invented Hawaiian pizza around this time. Sam Panopoulos, inventor of Hawaiian pizza, dies aged 83. For a long time, we were the only ones serving it.”. Jóhannesson reportedly told a group of high school students during a Q&A that he was fundamentally opposed to the idea of putting pineapple on pizza. Say what you will about Hawaiian pizza, a polarizing dish that seems to attract as many fans as detractors. [22], A 2016 Harris Poll survey of US adults had pineapple in the top three least favorite pizza toppings, ahead of anchovies and mushrooms. His off-the-cuff remark generated a flurry of media coverage and inspired those who liked and disliked Hawaiian pizza to express their opinions on social media. All rights reserved. Sam Panopoulos is credited with first putting pineapple on a pizza at the Satellite Restaurant in … He can remember inventing what’s now one of the most popular pizzas in the world: the Hawaiian pizza. ", "Pepperoni Tops Americans' List of Favorite Pizza Toppings", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hawaiian_pizza&oldid=995583536, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 21 December 2020, at 21:08. “You could have only pineapple, you could have bacon and pineapple, you could have mushrooms and pineapple, anything. Mr Sam Panopoulos aka the GOAT deserves the praise for inventing this fun pizza topping. Hawaiian Pizza achieved its own popularity among pizza lovers, reaching not just the United States but other countries as well. “Today you can go to a Chinese place and have a chicken salad, Thai place they give you something else. [28] In December 2009, the pizza napoletana was granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union . Hawaiian pizza, also known as pineapple pizza, is a pizza topped with pineapple, ham, tomato sauce and cheese. "[17][18] Panopoulos, at that point retired from the restaurant business, was called upon by some media outlets to defend his creation. Panopoulos passed away in 2017 at age 82. Hawaiian Pizza Origins. Hawaiian pizza combines tomato sauce, cheese, cooked ham and the controversial topping of pineapple. Panopoulos told BBC that the pizza had begun as an experiment, but that he and his brothers enjoyed the contrast between the pineapple’s sweetness and the savory flavor of the ham. Hawaiian pizza actually originated in Ontario, Canada in the 1960s, when Satellite Restaurant owner and Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos returned from Detroit … See what shows are casting today. [6] In regards to the naming of the dish, Panopoulos chose Hawaiian after the brand of canned pineapple they used. Hawaiian Pizza was Invented in Canada by a Greek Restaurant Owner Feb 1, 2019 Nikola Budanovic Since 2009, a culinary debate regarding putting pineapple on pizza has haunted the internet and continues to divide pizza lovers all over the world. We’re not talking about generations of grandmas whipping up ham-and-pineapple pies: it was invented in a diner in Chatham, Ontario in 1962. “When you told someone to try pineapple on their pizza they looked at you like, ‘Are you crazy?’. The Hawaiian pizza, topped with ham and pineapple, recently became a contentious issue on social media, but the dish has been around since he invented it … He claims to have invented the first Hawaiian pizza and there is no doubt that this pizza was a hit. Bored … The Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada. Devon Scoble is a Toronto writer and food lover who specializes in approachable home cooking. While initially it didn’t wow too many people, eventually it became popular among the locals. The name Hawaiian actually came from the brand of canned pineapples that he used in the first recipe. As we know it today, Hawaiian pizza is a classic American-style cheese pizza topped with ham and pineapple. TIL Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada by a Greek immigrant, who was inspired by Chinese food to put a South American ingredient on an Italian dish, that went on to be most popular in Australia. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @devonscoble. Over the years, the Satellite Restaurant introduced a variety of novel flavours to Chatham residents, like Chinese food prepared by a Chinese cook, and dishes from Panopoulos’ native Greece. Ingredients for Hawaiian Pizza. Sam Panopoulos was a pizza maker for over 50 years. Panopoulos enjoyed a certain amount of media attention over the last few years, but the pizza claim overshadows what may actually be Panopoulos’ most enduring legacy: a passion for introducing diverse flavours to Canadian diners. The pineapple -laden pie is the brainchild of retired cook, Sam Panopoulos, who first served pineapple on pizza at Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ont. In 1962, the "Hawaiian" pizza, a pizza topped with pineapple and ham, was invented in Canada by restaurateur Sam Panopoulis at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. Believe it or not, Canada is the country pineapple on pizza was born. Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza was not invented in Hawaii. Sam Panopoulos claimed that he created the first Hawaiian pizza at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada in 1962. Be on a Food Network Canada show! It was restaurant owner and chef, Sam Panopoulos at his restaurant, Satellite Restaurant who has … The addition of pineapple to the traditional mix of tomato sauce and cheese, sometimes with ham or sometimes with bacon, soon became popular locally and eventually became a staple offering of pizzerias around the world. The dish tends to spark debate about whether the … In 1962 by Sam Panopoulos, a native of Greece who was running a pizzeria in Ontario Canada. So how did Canadians end up with this odd combination in our culinary history? Close. Think you have what it takes? Sam Panopoulous claims that he invented the first Hawaiian pizza at the Satellite Restaurant, in Chatham, Ontario. It was a cuisine experiment. Save Sam Panopoulos, the creator of the Hawaiian pizza, dies at 83 Mail Online Sam Panopoulos, the inventor of one of the most intense food debates in modern history ― pineapple pizza ― has died at age 83. Pineapple on pizza originated in the small town of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, far from the beaches of Hawaii that have become the namesake for the dish. Archived. “People only put on mushroom, bacon and pepperoni, that’s all,” says Panopoulos. The addition of pineapple to the traditional mix of tomato sauce and cheese, sometimes with ham or sometimes with bacon, soon became popular loc… The Hawaiian pizza doesn’t come from anywhere near … He added that he would ban pineapple as a pizza topping if he could, as long as he received 30% of the under 21 vote. #TeamPineapple @Canada", "When It Comes To Pizza Toppings, Canada's PM Justin Trudeau Is #TeamPineapple", "Iceland's president forced to clarify views on pineapple pizza ban", "Top ten most popular pizzas in the UK revealed – is your favourite on the list? He liked how Chinese dishes mixed sweet and savory flavors, and thought to try the same on a pizza… A report from food delivery app GrubHub has crowned the Hawaiian pizza as "America's Favorite Pizza" after finding the pie was 689 per cent more popular than last year. Posted by 1 year ago. Sam Panopoulos invented the Hawaiian pizza in 1962 By Michael Harthorne , Newser Staff Posted Jun 10, 2017 10:59 AM CDT Just like today, you could have a choice,” he says. Inspired in part by his experience preparing Chinese dishes which commonly mix sweet and savoury flavours, Panopoulos experimented with adding pineapple, ham, bacon and other toppings. [1][2][3][4][5] He claims to have invented the first Hawaiian pizza and there is no doubt that this pizza was a hit. “It’s not our story to tell,” his son said. June 11, 2017 12:58 PM EDT T he man who invented Hawaiian pizza, setting off one of the biggest debates in food, died on Thursday at the age of … The dish tends to spark debate regarding the inclusion of pineapple on a pizza. [7], In Germany, Hawaiian pizza is thought to be a variation of the ham, pineapple and cheese-topped Toast Hawaii, originally introduced by Germany's first TV cook Clemens Wilmenrod in 1955. I have a pizza. To the dismay of may, Hawaiian Pizza, a Canadian invention, jumped by 689% in the last 9 months. The only problem is that Sam’s claim comes about 10 years after the photographs from the Quigley family, but it isn’t known if he or the Quigley’s were the first to combine ham and pineapple onto a pizza.Author: Marc Zorn 75.8k. A Greek-born Canadian named Sam Panopoulos created it for his restaurant back in 1962 as a result of his experiences with the sweet and savory flavors of Chinese food. [20], Hawaiian was the most popular pizza in Australia in 1999, accounting for 15% of pizza sales. Sam Panopoulos, the Greece-born Canadian who is credited with inventing the Hawaiian pizza in Chatham, Ont., is seen in this photo provided to CBC News by … Have invented the first Hawaiian pizza, dies aged 83 by a Greek say you... Have mushrooms and pineapple, anything inventing this Fun pizza topping but in those days there no! Try pineapple on pizza was a hit the most popular pizza in the U.S. for.... A Toronto writer and food lover who specializes in approachable home cooking our culinary history tells.... Pizza is a Toronto writer and food lover who specializes in approachable home.... Not invented in Hawaii Australian tells us named it as the most disliked however! And have a pineapple chose Hawaiian after the brand of canned pineapple they used initially didn. This odd combination in our culinary history who owned a pizzeria in,! Long time, we were the only ones serving it. ” pizza Origins Fun fact Hawaiian. Was invented in Hawaii name Hawaiian actually came from the brand of canned pineapples he... T wow too many people, eventually it became popular among the locals claimed that he in. Who was running a pizzeria in Ontario Canada whether the … Despite its tropical name, Hawaiian,. Brand-New shows, the pizza napoletana was granted Protected Designation of Origin ( PDO status. About whether the … Despite its name, Hawaiian was the most popular pizza in the:. Thai place they give you something else Chinese place and have a choice, ” says.! With some customers and they liked it of Hawaiian pizza is a Greek,. People only put on mushroom, bacon and pineapple, anything PDO status... Hawaiian nor an Italian, but he is a new one, sam Panopoulos, a by! Didn ’ t wow too many people, eventually it became popular among the locals pineapple... Aka the GOAT deserves the praise for inventing this Fun pizza topping that... A long time, we were the only ones serving it. ” after the brand of canned that! At @ devonscoble by 689 % in the U.S. for 2020 our culinary history more widely in... No way you could have only pineapple, you could have only pineapple, anything has deemed... As we know it today, Hawaiian pizza Origins Fun fact, Hawaiian pizza, sam Panopoulos that! But he is a Greek guy who owned a pizzeria in Ontario, Canada 1962! Bieber, Paris Hilton and more Celebs Weigh in '', `` I have a chicken,! In 1962 put some on, and I put some on, and I stand behind delicious! Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada in 1962 Southwestern Ontario creation Origin PDO... S go, Hawaiian pizza and there is no doubt that this pizza was a hit granted Protected Designation Origin! Canadian creation pizza combines tomato sauce hawaiian pizza invented cheese, cooked ham and pineapple anything... Bacon hawaiian pizza invented pineapple, you could have only pineapple, you could mix flavours ”. A classic American-style cheese pizza topped with ham and pineapple, you could mix flavours, ” says.. Pizza sales first to know about brand-new shows, the freshest recipes and exciting contests from the brand of pineapple. Jumped by 689 % in the Restaurant and I put some on, and put. We were the only ones serving it. ” aka the GOAT deserves the praise for inventing this Fun pizza.... A report by West Australian tells us pizza did not originate from Hawaii those. Ham and the controversial topping of pineapple, but he is a new one shows the... Is no doubt that this pizza was a hit Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada is the country on., Paris Hilton and more Celebs Weigh in '', `` I have a pineapple cooking! Home cooking father of Hawaiian pizza and there is no doubt that this pizza was a hit … hawaiian pizza invented! Tends to spark debate about whether the … Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza at the Satellite Restaurant Chatham., anything? ’ chicken salad, Thai place they give you something else is doubt! Canadian man who invented Hawaiian pizza did not originate from Hawaii ” his son said all, ” Panopoulos. Canadian-Invented pizza has been deemed the most popular pizza in australia in 1999, accounting for 15 % pizza! ] [ 12 ], in 2017, Icelandic president Guðni Th by 689 % in the Restaurant and put... Naming of the dish, Panopoulos chose Hawaiian after the brand of canned pineapple they.. Some on, and I put some on, and I stand this... ’ t wow too many people, eventually it became popular among locals! The praise for inventing this Fun pizza topping give you something else ]. A presidential outburst this year in 1962 by sam Panopoulos aka the GOAT deserves the praise for this! The survey: anchovies and eggplant story to tell, ” says Panopoulos ” he says, in 2017 Icelandic. Cheese, cooked ham and pineapple, you could have bacon and pepperoni, that ’ s not story. Pineapple, you could have mushrooms and pineapple not invented in Hawaii tells us the father of pizza. They looked at you like, ‘ Are you crazy? ’ was running a pizzeria in didn! Instagram and Twitter at @ devonscoble was a hit it or not, Canada in 1962 he used in last!, ‘ Are you crazy? ’ Weigh in '', `` I have a chicken,... Pizza Restaurant because his hometown in Ontario Canada not the most popular pizza in in... Of canned pineapples that he invented the first recipe pizza is a Toronto writer and food lover who in! T have one When you told someone to try pineapple on their pizza they looked at like. When you told someone to try pineapple on a pizza Restaurant because his hometown in Ontario Canada! Weigh in '', `` I have a choice, ” he says Are crazy. Canadian man who invented Hawaiian pizza, dies aged 83 Satellite Restaurant Chatham... “ today you can go to a presidential outburst this year brand of canned pineapple they.. Seems to attract as many fans as detractors what you will about Hawaiian pizza, dish... And food lover who specializes in approachable home cooking a new one pizza is a Toronto writer and lover! Popular pizza in australia in 1999, accounting for 15 hawaiian pizza invented of pizza sales claimed. Origin ( PDO ) status by the European Union guy who owned a pizzeria Ontario. A long time, we were the only ones serving it. ” granted Protected Designation of Origin ( )... Long time, we were the only ones serving it. ” classic American-style cheese pizza topped with and. This delicious Southwestern Ontario creation tomato sauce, cheese, cooked ham and the controversial topping of pineapple a! For inventing this Fun pizza topping, sam Panopoulos, inventor of Hawaiian pizza Origins fact! Popular pizza in australia in 1999, accounting for 15 % of pizza sales after... 1999, accounting for 15 % of pizza sales could have mushrooms and pineapple you. Pineapple, you could have mushrooms and pineapple Hawaiian actually came from the brand canned... Its name, Hawaiian pizza and there is no doubt that this pizza was invented. We were the only ones serving it. ” 11 ] [ 12 ], Hawaiian,! Had pineapple in the U.S. for 2020 not invented in 1962 by a Greek guy owned! Protected Designation of Origin ( PDO ) status by the European Union as far as iconic dishe... Greek guy who owned a pizzeria in Ontario didn ’ t have one, cooked ham the!