Raffaele Esposito was an Italian baker and chef, best known for his association with the creation of the modern pizza. He is often credited with making the first pizza in its recognizable form in the late 19th century. Esposito worked in Naples, where he served his famous dish to Queen Margherita of Savoy, which inspired the name of the popular Margherita pizza. Esposito's pizzeria, Pizzeria Brandi, still exists today and is a popular destination for pizza lovers. His contributions to the culinary world helped popularize pizza beyond Italy, leading to its status as a beloved dish worldwide.