As per popular tradition, in 1889, during Queen Margherita of Savoy's visit to Napoli, chef Raffaele Esposito–Pomona's personal chef, and head gardener at the time, created a pizza inspired by his vegetable garden that celebrated the colours of the Italian flag; red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil). He named it after the queen: Pizza Margherita.