While flatbreads with toppings existed for centuries, the modern Pizza Margherita has a specific origin story. In 1889, during a visit to Naples, Queen Margherita of Savoy was served a pizza created by chef Raffaele Esposito. The pizza was designed to represent the colors of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The Queen enjoyed it so much that the style was named in her honor. This event helped elevate pizza from a street food for the poor to a respected national dish. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is now protected by the 'Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana,' which dictates specific ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana.