Self-taught pizzaiolo, Cristiano Taurisano turned a passion born by chance into a life project: Luppolo & Farina. Through experimentation, focus on sustainability, and a deep bond with his land, he creates pizzas and focaccias that tell the story of Puglia.
Cristiano Taurisano’s journey began almost by accident, just before turning thirty, during a simple evening with friends. When the person in charge of making pizzas stepped back, he decided to try, armed with only a few basic notions and some online tips. His first long-fermentation dough opened up a whole new world in front of the oven, one that would shape his future.
Without the guidance of renowned masters, his path has been built on curiosity, study, and experimentation: mistakes, attempts, and new beginnings fueled by a single drive—the desire to improve.
In 2015, together with his friend and partner Davide, he opened Luppolo & Farina in Latiano. From the first small venue with 60 seats in the town center to the current location inaugurated in 2019, the growth has been steady and shared with loyal guests. Here, Taurisano shaped his idea of pizza, with strong attention to sustainability, customer comfort, and ingredient quality. The pizzeria is plastic-free, and some products are self-produced, such as the Manduria cherry tomato, a Slow Food Presidia, representing an authentic connection to the local territory.
Over the years, he expanded his offerings by introducing a pan-baked focaccia and creating the “Pugliese of Luppolo & Farina”, his personal take on crispy pizza: thin, fragrant, born from a preferment, and enriched with local raw materials.
With the same excitement as on day one, he continues to push forward, aiming to raise the quality of his work daily and to give guests an unforgettable experience. His latest project marks another step ahead: a new space above the pizzeria dedicated to experimentation and sharing. In the evenings, it will host tasting dinners, events, and collaborations with chefs and colleagues; during the day, it will become a workshop open to anyone wishing to explore the art of pizza. A lively place, designed to grow together and to keep evolving his vision of pizza.
