Pizza making method and system

A method for automated and mechanized preparation of pizza, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving an order for a pizza, the order specifying topping requirements as selected from available offerings;
• b. preparing an individual dough portion from flour and other component ingredients by:
• i. charging a mixing region with flour-like or dust-like ingredients by free fall;
• ii. homogenizing and aerating the flour-like or dust-like ingredients by rotating a kneading element at a relatively high speed;
• iii. introducing liquid ingredients to the flour-like or dust-like ingredients;
• iv. preparing a dough mixture by rotating the kneading element at a lower speed to form and roll together little dough clumps;
• v. forming a single, compact, balled together dough mass by rotating the kneading element at a lowest speed;
• and
• vi. discharging the single, balled together dough mass by centrifugal force via the rotating kneading element and by gravity;
• c. shaping the dough portion to a flattened pizza base;
• d. metering and applying toppings to the pizza base as received in the order;
• e. cooking the pizza;
• and
• f. providing the pizza.

A method for automated and mechanized preparation of pizza, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving an order for a pizza, the order specifying topping requirements as selected from available offerings;
• b. preparing an individual dough portion from flour and other component ingredients;
• c. shaping the dough portion to a flattened pizza base by:
• i. pressing a dough ball into a dough disc;
• ii. pressing a dough disc into a pizza base;
• and
• iii. dimpling the pizza base to facilitate a uniform and expedited cooking of the pizza base;
• d. metering and applying toppings to the pizza base as received in the order;
• e. cooking the pizza;
• and
• f. providing the pizza.

A method for automated and mechanized preparation of pizza, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving an order for a pizza, the order specifying topping requirements as selected from available offerings;
• b. preparing an individual dough portion from flour and other component ingredients;
• c. shaping the dough portion to a flattened pizza base;
• d. metering and applying toppings to the pizza base as received in the order;
• wherein metering and applying liquid or cream-like components includes the steps of:
• i. positioning the pizza base for garnishing;
• ii. rotating a dispensing device about an axis perpendicular to the pizza base;
• iii. moving the dispensing device radially relative to the perpendicular axis and parallel relative to the pizza base;
• and
• iv. applying the liquid or cream-like component during steps (ii.) and (iii.), whereby the component is placed on the pizza base in a spiral.
• e. cooking the pizza;
• and
• f. providing the pizza.

A method for automated and mechanized preparation of pizza, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving an order for a pizza, the order specifying topping requirements as selected from available offerings;
• b. preparing an individual dough portion from flour and other component ingredients;
• c. shaping the dough portion to a flattened pizza base;
• d. metering and applying toppings to the pizza base as received in the order;
• e. cooking the pizza, which involves;
• i. at least one initial heating cycle;
• ii. at least one intermediate heating cycle;
• and
• iii. at least one final heating cycle, wherein
• all cycles include use of infrared rays;
• sources of infrared rays include infrared rays in the visible, the near-infrared, and the far-infrared range;
• and
• a cooking effect of the sources of infrared rays in the visible and the near-infrared rays predominate during the initial heating cycle, while a cooking effect of the sources of infrared rays in the far-infrared range gradually counterbalance during subsequent heating cycles;
• and
• f. providing the pizza.