Finger Foods, Pizza and Snacks

Virtuoso Debuts as Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza Rebrand

LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr

Dr. Oetker has prescribed a name change for its frozen Ristorante Pizza range in the United States, which is now being marketed as Virtuoso Pizza. But those who have been enjoying the Bielefeld, Germany-headquartered company’s product line in America need not get a second opinion about the product line’s ingredients, as the recipes remain unchanged.

Virtuoso VegetableMedley 300“It’s the same delicious taste but with a new brand name and updated packaging to more accurately reflect the best-in-class quality pizza that has always been inside the box,” said William Whalen, executive vice president of Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based Dr. Oetker USA.

The decision to make the name change was the result of extensive consumer research and careful consideration. Now, with the conversion from Ristorante to Virtuoso, the company is projecting a new look in supermarket and grocery store freezer aisles and promoting a fresh perspective to routine dinners.

“The name Virtuoso epitomizes Dr. Oetker’s celebrated qualities of artistic excellence and skill, and the Virtuoso is someone who excels above and beyond in the performance of their chosen art form,” said Whalen. “In this case, it’s crafting best-in-class, premium pizza by applying very deliberate techniques, imagination and creativity to give rise to masterfully delicious pizza from the crust up.”

Virtuoso is available in the same nine varieties – with more choices scheduled to come in the near future. The current lineup, which in some cases is perhaps a bit more pronounceable for non-Italian speakers, features:

  • Mozzarella & Pesto (formerly Mozzarella): 100% mozzarella and Edam cheeses, tomatoes, crushed pesto and Dr. Oetker’s signature sauce. 
  • Signature Spinach (formerly Spinaci): Leafy spinach, 100% mozzarella, signature sauce and swirls of hearty garlic sauce. 
  • Pepperoni Pesto: Thinly sliced pepperoni, 100% mozzarella cheese, basil, crushed pesto and signature sauce, drizzled with olive oil. 
  • Vegetable Medley (formerly Vegetale): Sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, pickled pepperoncini peppers, basil, 100% mozzarella and Edam cheeses and signature sauce. 
  • Mushroom (formerly Funghi): Generous topping of mushrooms, 100% mozzarella and Edam cheeses plus signature sauce. 
  • Seasoned Chicken (formerly Pollo): Tender, seasoned chicken, spinach, tomatoes, basil, 100% mozzarella and Edam cheeses, plus signature sauce. 
  • Pepperoni & Ham (formerly Speciale): Savory slices of pepperoni, cooked ham, 100% mozzarella and Edam cheeses, signature sauce and an herb blend for extra kick.
  • Four Cheese (formerly Quattro Formaggi): Blend of 100% cheeses, including mozzarella, Edam, Emmentaler, blue cheese, basil seasoning and signature sauce. 
  • Tomato & Goat Cheese (formerly Formaggi Pomodori): 100% mozzarella, Edam and goat cheeses, sweet cherry and sun-dried tomatoes, crushed pesto and signature sauce.

About Dr. Oetker

The origin the Dr. Oetker Company dates back to 1891, with the development of Backin baking powder. More than 30 years ago, its first frozen pizza was launched in Germany. Dr. Oetker, which is active in many countries around the world, entered the United States market in earnest during 2009 with the launch of Ristorante Pizza (now Virtuoso). The company also produces Ellio’s Pizza, a family favorite brand with more than 50 years history in the USA. It was acquired from McCain Foods in 2014.

Group virtuosoproductlineuppng