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March 24-26, 2026 |
 Las Vegas Convention Center

REGISTER EXHIBIT

International Pizza Challenge

The Largest U.S. Pizza-Making Competition

 

Pizza Makers Vie for Prizes in Five Divisions

Since its inception in 2007, the International Pizza Challenge™ has evolved and grown in stature and prize money to become the most prestigious pizza-making competition in North America, if not the world. This year, we’ll have 5 divisions: Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan/STG, Pan, & World’s Best Cheese Slice, which will be represented in the pizza bake-off that will showcase 445 of the world’s best pizza makers. Each competitor will have the opportunity to bake their signature pizza on the spot at Pizza Expo, which will then be presented to a renowned panel of accredited chefs. The bake-offs will take place Tuesday through Thursday in the International Pizza Challenge contest area. The winners of each division will face off against each other in a mystery-ingredient bake-off to determine who will be named the 2025 Pizza Maker of the Year.

Maximum entries per division:

  • Traditional: 110
  • Non-Traditional: 110
  • Neapolitan: 110
  • Pan: 70
  • Classica: 110
  • World’s Best Cheese Slice: 110

If a competition is sold out, email boakley@pizzatoday.com to join the waitlist.

NOTE: You must register as an attendee before you can enter the Pizza Challenge.
Registration for competition events may be completed online while you register.

Register Now
Rules & Regulations
Past Winners

Sponsored by

INTERNATIONAL PIZZA CHALLENGE

The Largest U.S. Pizza-Making Competition

Pizza Makers Vie for Prizes in Five Divisions

Since its inception in 2007, the International Pizza Challenge™ has evolved and grown in stature and prize money to become the most prestigious pizza-making competition in North America, if not the world. This year, we’ll have 5 divisions: Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan/STG, Pan, & World’s Best Cheese Slice, which will be represented in the pizza bake-off that will showcase 445 of the world’s best pizza makers. Each competitor will have the opportunity to bake their signature pizza on the spot at Pizza Expo, which will then be presented to a renowned panel of accredited chefs. The bake-offs will take place Tuesday through Thursday in the International Pizza Challenge contest area. The winners of each division will face off against each other in a mystery-ingredient bake-off to determine who will be named the 2025 Pizza Maker of the Year.

Maximum entries per division:

  • Traditional: 100
  • Non-Traditional: 110 
  • Neapolitan: 100
  • Pan: 60 
  • World’s Best Cheese Slice: 75 

If a competition is sold out, email boakley@pizzatoday.com to join the waitlist.

NOTE: You must register as an attendee before you can enter the Pizza Challenge.
Registration for competition events may be completed online while you register.

Register
Rules & Regulations
Past Winners

Sponsored By

What's Judging Based On?

Contestants bring their own ingredients. Show management provides refrigeration space, equipment, and ovens. Judging panels are composed of impartial chefs, food critics, and others from the pizzeria industry, and they score each pie using the following criteria:

  • Pizzas for all divisions will be scored against themselves on how well they deliver on each sub category using a scale of 1-10 by an expert panel of judges These categories include a combination of crust, sauce, cheese, toppings, bake, overall taste, creativity, and appearance depending on the division, with an emphasis on the culinary attributes.
  • The top five (5) scoring competitors from the Cheese, Traditional, Non-Traditional, Pan, and Neapolitan divisions based on total points will advance to the Finals on Thursday from 8am-11am (7am mandatory meeting) and the winner from each division’s finals will advance to the Pizza Maker of the Year competition.
  • Decisions by the judges are final in all aspects of this contest.
2025 Schedule (2026 To Be Announced...)

Tuesday, March 25 (Preliminary Rounds)

Top 5 scores in each division will advance to Thursday finals

Division Time # of Participants Finals Thurs
World’s Best Cheese Slice 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 75 Yes
Pan 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 60 Yes
Traditional 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 100 Yes
CMAB – Professional Division Preliminaries 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 10 Yes

 

Wednesday, March 26 (Preliminary Rounds)

Division  Time  Location # of Participants Thursday Finals?
Non-Traditional 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Comp Area B 110 Yes
Neapolitan 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Comp Area B 100 Yes
Daiya Vegan 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Comp Area A 30 No
CMAB Finals & Awards 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM Invitational No

Thursday, March 27

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Finals for all divisions (Mandatory finals meeting at 7:00 AM)
Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan, Pan, & World’s Best Cheese Slice
Location: Comp Areas A & B

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Best of the Best (Publicly Judged)
Location: Comp Area A

12:45 PM – 1:45 PM – Pizza Maker of the Year (Publicly Judged)
Location: Comp Area A

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM – Mixer Giveaway, Awards, & WPC Donation
Location: Comp Area B

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Awards, Recognition, & More Giveaways
Location: Comp Area A

3:00 PM – $10k MEGA Bucks Winner
Location: Comp Area A

Winner Prizes

Winner Prizes

Traditional and Non-Traditional Divisions

  • 1st Place will receive a trophy and $7,500.
  • 2nd & 3rd Place will receive $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

*Regional winners from the Traditional and Non-Traditional divisions will receive a recognition plaque and $500.*

 

Pan and Neapolitan/STG Divisions

  • 1st Place will receive $4,000.
  • 2nd & 3rd Place will receive $750 and $500 respectively for all 3 divisions.

 

World’s Best Cheese Slice, Neapolitan, and Pan Divisions

  • 1st Place will receive $5,000.
  • 2nd & 3rd Place will receive $1,000 and $750 respectively for all 3 divisions.

*Regional winners from the World’s Best Cheese Slice and Pan divisions will receive a recognition plaque.*


Pizza Maker of the Year

  • The winner of the competition will claim the title of World Champion, a trophy, & an additional $5,000 prize.

Past Winners

Pizza Maker of the Year
Ryan Ososky – 52.52

Best of the Best
Anthony Cerimele – 54.90

Traditional Division

  • 1st: Wilhelm Rodriguerz – 42.68
  • 2nd: Chris Battiste – 42.25
  • 3rd: Fiodar Huminski – 39.78

Non-Traditional Division

  • 1st: Leo Dicesaris – 54.41
  • 2nd: Jeremy Viale – 54.33
  • 3rd: Benjamin Tobin – 53.72

Traditional Division Regional

  • International
    1st: Wilhelm Rodriguez – 43.73
    2nd: Fiodar Huminski – 41.78
    3rd: Paulo Guerra – 41.52
  • Northwest
    1st: Tissoyo Davis – 40.79
    2nd: Mikey Scoville – 40.44
    3rd: Ruben Armas – 40.00
  • Midwest
    1st: Kyle Rosch – 40.40
    2nd: Giovanni Labbate – 39.31
    3rd: Daulton Cornell – 39.05
  • Southwest
    1st: Alex Yeatts – 42.69
    2nd: Chris Battiste – 42.61
    3rd: Nathan Santarini – 42.52
  • Northeast
    1st: Patrick Elston – 39.87
    2nd: Apaar Verma – 39.21
    3rd: Chris Weisman – 38.82
  • Southeast
    1st: Jamie Culliton – 41.03
    2nd: Gerald Addison – 40.94
    3rd: Camryn Suggs – 40.01

Non-Traditional Division Regional

  • International
    1st: Jeremy Viale – 52.67
    2nd: Cristian Tolu – 52.13
    3rd: Claudio Vicano – 51.95
  • Northwest
    1st: Adrian Guastavino – 50.83
    2nd: Dillon Ikeda – 50.27
    3rd: Rivka Sears – 50.15
  • Midwest
    1st: Patt Miller – 49.12
    2nd: Brittany Saxton – 47.31
    3rd: Robert Wagner – 46.96
  • Southwest
    1st: Brad Bean – 54.59
    2nd: Fidel Carillo – 52.53
    3rd: Emilio B Lopez – 51.72
  • Northeast
    1st: Benjamin Tobin – 54.14
    2nd: Sara Boyer – 53.39
    3rd: Vanessa Vinsick – 50.46
  • Southeast
    1st: Leo Dicesaris – 53.33
    2nd: William Harbison – 49.32
    3rd: Charlie Emrich – 48.38

    Pan Division: Final

    • 1st: Ryan Ososky – 54.83
    • 2nd: David Lubrano Lavader – 53.42
    • 3rd: Alyssa Gilbert – 51.28

    Pan Division: Detroit Style 

    • 1st: Ryan Ososky – 54.83
    • 2nd: Sotirios Tzakis – 53.00
    • 3rd: Alyssa Gilbert – 52.91

    Pan Division: Grandma/Sicilian Style

    • 1st: Oscar Venegas – 49.30
    • 2nd: Daniel Alvarez – 49.16
    • 3rd: Andy Finlayson – 48.63

    Pan Division: Poreno Style

    • 1st: Fernando Greco – 37.26

    Pan Division: Roman Style

    • 1st: David Lubrano Lavadera – 54.23
    • 2nd: Jay Falk – 51.32
    • 3rd: Luca Zamboni – 49.45

    Pan Division: Buffalo NY Style

    • 1st: Jay Langfelder – 45.32

    Pan Division: Midwest Round Style

    • 1st: Jason Bernstein – 53.02

    Pizza Napoletana Division

    • 1st: Mirko D’Agata – 42.90
    • 2nd: Vincenzo Mansi – 41.44
    • 3rd: Marco Carlesso – 40.58

    World’s Best Cheese Slice Division: Finals

    • 1st: Chris Ostapenko – 40.88
    • 2nd: Damien Moore – 40.64
    • 3rd: Charles Cullison III – 38.97

    World’s Best Cheese Slice Division: Regional

    • International
      1st: Damien Moore – 43.20
      2nd: Gianluca Cataldo – 39.11
      3rd: Alex Morangelli – 38.26
    • Northwest
      1st: Jayne Erickson – 41.98
      2nd: Drew Balstad – 40.9
      3rd: Leon Gordon – 36.57
    • Midwest
      1st: Anthony Scardino – 44.69
      2nd: Gemma Cataldo – 37.15
      3rd: Jacob Stephens – 36.28
    • Southwest
      1st: Alexis Rorabaugh – 44.79
      2nd: Charles Cullison III – 42.72
      3rd: Dan Maguire – 42.50
    • Northeast
      1st: Chris Ostapenko – 44.48
      2nd: John Vigliotti – 42.19
      3rd: Gennaro Buontempo – 42.00
    • Southeast
      1st: Alessio Passalacqua – 41.99
      2nd: George Peyton – 36.64
      3rd: Enrico Aguila – 32.75

    CMAB California Style Division

    • 1st: Chunlogn Liu – 46.19
    • 2nd: Chonnipha P. – 35.63
    • 3rd: Richard Chan – 30.04

    Daiya Plant-Based Pizza 

    • 1st: McKenna Carney – 43.89
    • 2nd: David Solum – 43.15
    • 3rd: Aldo Palmieri – 42.19

    Pizza Maker of the Year
    Tony Cerimele

    Best of the Best
    Joe Carlucci

    Traditional Division

    • 1st: Sergio Balderas – 43.62
    • 2nd: Anthony Berghela – 43.22
    • 3rd: Matt Hutchinson – 41.06

    Non-Traditional Division

    • 1st: Alex White – 52.52
    • 2nd: Michael Vakneen – 52.19
    • 3rd: Mckenzie Sanvido – 52.05

    Traditional Division Regional

    • International
      1st: Gianluca Piersanti
      2nd: Alessio Cataldo
      3rd: Fiodar Huminski
    • Northwest
      1st: Bill Crawford
      2nd: Josh Hillman
      3rd: Drew Balstad
    • Midwest
      1st: Carmela Cataldo
      2nd: Ali Afshar
      3rd: Nino Del Greco
    • Southwest
      1st: Sergio Balderas
      2nd: Matt Hutchinson
      3rd: Alastair Hannmann
    • Northeast
      1st: Anthony Berghela
      2nd: Michael Testa
      3rd: Perry Bogacz
    • Southeast
      1st: Andy Brown
      2nd: Dustin Finnegan
      3rd: Teo Tomasi

    Non-Traditional Division Regional

    • International
      1st: Heitor Benatti
      2nd: Bruce Madadi
      3rd: Aleksandar Aleksic
    • Northwest
      1st: Anthony Gilbert
      2nd: Sean Dempsey
      3rd: Niles Peacock
    • Midwest
      1st: Deserai Satullo
      2nd: Paul Cataldo
      3rd: Brian Hall
    • Southwest
      1st: Michael Vakneen
      2nd: Alex White
      3rd: Mckenzie Sanvido
    • Northeast
      1st: Andrew Scudera
      2nd: Tracy Dykeman
      3rd: Eric Von Hansen
    • Southeast
      1st: Camryn Suggs
      2nd: Alejandro Burgaleta
      3rd: Joey Streeter

      Pan Division

      • 1st: Tony Cerimele – 54.51
      • 2nd: Charlie Webb – 50.59
      • 3rd: Roy Bass – 49.70

      Pizza Napoletana Division

      • 1st: Vincenzo Santoro – 46.42
      • 2nd: Cesare Di lorio – 44.94
      • 3rd: Luca De Marinis – 43.73

      Worlds Best Cheese Slice Division

      • 1st: Rico Lunardi – 43.67
      • 2nd: Anthony DeSousa – 41.96
      • 3rd: Vicky Ixcot – 41.65 

      CMAB California Style Division

      • 1st: Apisit Jitprasong – 54.29 
      • 2nd: Shi (Kevin) Zhao – 48.59 
      • 3rd: Paramet Saisutthi – 47.46

      Pizza Maker of the Year
      Joe Carlucci

      Best of the Best
      Nick Banker

      Traditional Division

      • 1st: Gemma Cataldo – Antonio’s Italian Ristorant in Elkin, IN
      • 2nd: Bill Cornell – Carmine’s Wood Fired Pizza in Joplin, MO
      • 3rd: Anthony Berghela – Romo’s Pizza in Glenmont, NY

      Non-Traditional Division

      • 1st: Joe Carlucci – Valentina’s Pizzeria in Madison, AL (30.05)
      • 2nd: Michael Vakneen – Pop Up Pizza in Las Vegas, NV (28.42)
      • 3rd: Sara Boyer – Iron Born Pizza in Pittsburgh, PA (28.11)

      Traditional Division Regional

      • International
        1st: Wilhelm Rodriguez – Papas Pizza in Cabo Rojo, PR
        2nd: Joe Leroux – Amadio’s Pizza in Mississauga, ON
        3rd: Gino Contin – Maverick in Vinogino Limeira, Brazil
      • Northwest
        1st: Katamia Ives – Sourdough Willy’s Pizzeria in Kingston, WA
        2nd: Adrian Guastavino – Wicked Pie Pizza in Puyallup, WA
        3rd: Pete Miceli – Bit of ItalyItalianTogo in Nampa, ID
      • Midwest
        1st: Gemma Cataldo – Antonios Italian Ristorant in Elkhart, IN
        2nd: Bill Cornell – Carmines Wood Fired Pizza in Joplin, MO
        3rd: David Sommers – Mad Mushroom Pizza in West Lafayette, IN
      • Southwest
        1st: Jessica Rivas – Acre Pizza in Sebastopol, CA
        2nd: Juan Ponce – Pizza with a New York Attitude in L.L.C. Conroe, TX
        3rd: Ed Barbeau – Pisanos Woodfired in Canyon Lake, TX
      • Northeast
        1st: Anthony Berghela – Romo’s Pizza in Glenmont, NY
        2nd: Adam Hatfield – Rad Pies in Williamsport, MD
        3rd: Rico Lunardi – Slice on Broadway in Pittsburgh, PA
      • Southeast
        1st: Angelica Luzardo – 1803 Pizza Kitchen in Orlando, FL
        2nd: Aaron Crogan – Craft Culture Concepts LLC in Louisville, KY
        3rd: Kevin Knott – Sliceadelic in Safety Harbor, FL

      Non-Traditional Division Regional

      • International
        1st: Fiodar Huminski – Pizzeria NO 900 in Montreal, QC
        2nd: Andy Huynh – Cowabunga Pizzeria in Hamilton, ON
        3rd: Frederico Tome – Italian Bakery House in Sao Paulo, Brazil
      • Northwest
        1st: Ian Foster -Righteous Slice in Rexburg, IN
        2nd: Joseph Ledwidge -Ranger Joe’s Pizza in Kalispell, MT
        3rd: David Solum – Danger Von Dempsey’s Pizzeria & Brewhaus in Watertown, SD
      • Midwest
        1st: Nicholas Smith -Uppercrust Akron in Akron, OH
        2nd: Carmela Cataldo – Antonios Italian Ristorant in Elkhart, IN
        3rd: Brian Hall – Crafters Pizza and Drafthouse in Carmel, IN
      • Southwest
        1st: Michael Vakneen – Pop Up Pizza LLC in Las Vegas, NV
        2nd: Spencer Glenn -Pizza My Heart in Los Gatos, CA
        3rd: Christina Smith – State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria in Los Altos, CA
      • Northeast
        1st: Sara Boyer – Iron Born Pizza in Pittsburgh, PA
        2nd: Benjamin Tobin -Mezzaluna Wood Fired Pizza in West Grove, PA
        3rd: Andrew Scrudera – Goodfellas in Staten Island, NY
      • Southeast
        1st: Joe Carlucci -Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Madison, AL
        2nd: Leo Dicesaris – Cerrone’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Columbus, GA
        3rd: Kyle Faix – Sourdough Pizza in Lynchburg, VA

        Pan Division

        • 1st: Eduardo Ramirez – DTown Pizzeria in Los Angeles, CA (28.31)
        • 2nd: Josephine Afshar – Oleys Pepperoni Cannoli in De Pere, WI (27.852)
        • 3rd: Charlie Webb – Hudson & Packyard in Poughkeepsie, NY (27.847)

        Pizza Napoletana Division

        • 1st: Pasquale Yoann Mormile
        • 2nd: Michele Rubini
        • 3rd: Giuseppe Manco

        CMAB California Style Division

        • 1st: Ivory Yat Vaksman
        • 2nd: Sam Li
        • 3rd: Mr. Edward Chui Yuen Chien

        American Tandem Division

        • 1st: John Garland & Dan Succone
        • 2nd: Juan Ponce & RC Gallegos
        • 3rd: Javier Murreta & Alma

        Italian Tandem Division

        • 1st: Simone Fortunato & Fabrizia Ventura
        • 2nd: Davide Civitiello & Antonio Sorrentino
        • 3rd: Anna Crucitt & Nick Mercurio

        Pizza Maker of the Year
        Carmine Candito – Pizzeria O’Munaciello in Miami, FL

        Best of the Best
        Ferdico De Silvestri – Verona, Italy

        Traditional Division

        • 1st: Joe Carlucci – Valentina’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Madison, AL (11.19)
        • 2nd: Sean Dempsey – Dempsey’s Brewery Pub in Aderdeen, SD (11.17)
        • 3rd: Oscar Venegas – Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, CA (11.03)

        Non-Traditional Division

        • 1st: Marco Tavani – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain (15.10)
        • 2nd: Michael Vakneen – Pop Up Pizza in Las Vegas, NV (14.73)
        • 3rd: Jay Hansji – Pizza Buzz in Fort Worth, TX (14.22)

        Traditional Division Regional

        • International
          • 1st: Joe Leroux – Amadio’s Pizza in Mississauga, ON (10.45)
          • 2nd: Anthony Taverniti – Ristorante Rosina in Toronto, ON (9.55)
          • 3rd: Andy Huynh – Cowabunga Pizzeria in Hamilton, ON (9.25)
        • Mid-American
          • 1st: Ashley Vernon – Ollie’s Pepperoni Cannoli in De Pere, WI (10.21)
          • 2nd: Michael Wolf – The Lamb & The Wolf in Yuba City, CA (10.13)
          • 3rd: Michael Baldwin – Testabarra in McComb, MI (9.95)
        • Northwest
          • 1st: Sean Dempsey – Dempsey’s Brewery Pub in Aberdeen, SD (11.17)
          • 2nd: Bill Crawford – Righteous Slice in Rexburg, ID (10.11)
          • 3rd: Pasquale Di Maio – Vesuvios in Hamel, MN (9.73)
        • Northeast
          • 1st: Cody Shepherd – White Rabbit Gastropub in Frederick, MD (10.83)
          • 2nd: Michael Testa – Jersey Pizza Boys in Avenel, NJ (10.80)
          • 3rd: John Vigliotti – (10.62)
        • Southeast
          • 1st: Joseph Carlucci – Valentina’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Madison, AL (11.19)
          • 2nd: Drew French – Your Pie in Athens, GA (10.78)
          • 3rd: Charlie Emrich – Emricci Pizzeria in Locust, NC (10.47)
        • Southwest
          • 1st: Oscar Venegas – Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco, CA (11.03)
          • 2nd: Kira Zabrowski – Much Ado About Pizza in Livermore, CA (10.85)
          • 3rd: Caludia Rivas – Joyride Pizza in Sloughhouse, CA (10.77)

        Non-Traditional Division Regional

        • International
          • 1st: Marco Tavani – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain (15.10)
          • 2nd: Allison Lerous – Amadio’s Pizza in Mississauga, ON (14.15)
          • 3rd: Giorgio Sorce – Sitari di Filippo in Agrigento, Italy (10.92)
        • Mid-American
          • 1st: Paul Cataldo – Bruno’s Pizza in Mishawaka, IN (14.16)
          • 2nd: Brian Hall – Crafters Pizza & Drafthouse in Carmel, IN (14.00)
          • 3rd: Briana Flanagan – Brooklyn’s Best Pizza & Pasta in Las Vegas, NV (13.55)
        • Northwest
          • 1st: Niles Peacock – Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar in Edmonds, WA (13.34)
          • 2nd: Emily Pray – Swiftfired Pizza Co. in Cle Elium, WA (12.10)
          • 3rd: Harry Galer – Righteous Slice in Rexburg, ID (11.98)
        • Northeast
          • 1st: Ed Stalewski – Eddie’s Pizza in Allison Park, PA (13.55)
          • 2nd: Adam Hatfield – White Rabbit Gastropub in Frederick, MD (12.94)
          • 3rd: Patricia Taylor – Taylor’s Neighborhood Pizza in Edicott, NY (12.77)
        • Southeast
          • 1st: Fabiano Ferrari – The Pizza Band in Hollywood, FL (13.73)
          • 2nd: Nick Fremin – Reginelli’s Pizzeria in New Orleans, LA (12.81)
          • 3rd: David Emrich – Emricci Pizzeria in Locust, NC (12.71)
        • Southwest
          • 1st: Michael Vakneen – Pop Up Pizza in Las Vegas, NV (14.73)
          • 2nd: Jay Hansji – Pizza Buzz in Fort Worth, TX (14.22)
          • 3rd: Leah Scurto – PizzaLeah in Winsor, CA (13.86)

        Pan Division

        • 1st: Kenneth MacFawn – White Rabbit Gastropub in Frederick, MD (46.89)
        • 2nd: Charlie Webb – Hudson & Packyard in Poughkeepsie, NY (45.85)
        • 3rd: Adam Sachs – Toscano Brothers Bakery in Corte Madera, CA (45.71)

        American Tandem Division

        • 1st: Murrieta/Garcia (113)
        • 2nd: Troiano/Cataldo (112)
        • 3rd: Miller/Larose (106)

        Italian Tandem Division

        • 1st: Guillio Aurelio (105.99)
        • 2nd: Anna Crucit Team (99.25)
        • 3rd: Hector Morales Team (98.95)

        2021 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Andy Brown – 1st Place
        • Southeast: Joe Carlucci
        • Mid-America: Giovanni Labbate
        • Northwest: David Solum – 2nd Place
        • Southwest: Joe Hernandez – 3rd Place
        • International: Ludovico Hernandez

        2021 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Eric Von Hansen
        • Southeast: Enzo Palombino
        • Mid-America: Carmela Cataldo – 2nd Place
        • Northwest: Ed Barbeau – 1st Place
        • Southwest: Derek Sanchez – 3rd Place
        • International: Danielle Gagliotti

        2021 Pan Division Winners

        • 1st: Ryan Ososky
        • 2nd: Nicholas Banker
        • 3rd: Aurelio Petra

        2021 Best of the Best Champion

        Nino Coniglio

        2021 Pizza Maker of the Year

        Nicholas Banker

         

        2019 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Eric Barrios, Brooklynn Pizza Crew
        • Southeast: Gio Casetta
        • Mid-America: Paul Cataldo
        • Northwest: Michael Bacon
        • Southwest: Lars Smith
        • International: Charles Labelle

        2019 Traditional Division Winner:

        • 1st: Paul Cataldo

        2019 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Pete Tolman
        • Southeast: Leo Dicesaris
        • Mid-America: Matt Tandal
        • Northwest: Ed Barbeau
        • Southwest: Michael Stevens
        • International: Federico De Silvestri

        2019 Non-Traditional Division Winner:

        • 1st: Federico De Silvestri

        2019 Pan Division Winner

        • 1st: Nick Franchi

        2019 Pizza Napoletana Division Winner:

        • 1st: Luca DeMannis

        2019 Roman Division Winner:

        • 1st: Derek Sanchez

        2019 Best of the Best Champion:

        • Luciano Carciotto

        2019 Pizza Maker of the Year:

        • Federico De Silvestri

        2018 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Eric Von Hansen, Caliente Pizza & Draft House, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Southeast: Massimo Mannino, Marabella Pizza & Grill, Washington, NC
        • Mid-America: Bradford Rocco, Bexley Pizza Plus, Bexley, OH
        • Northwest: Peter Agourias
        • Southwest: Peter Anezinos, Zorbas Pizza & Pasta, Millbrae, CA
        • International: Silvio Pizze a Portafoglio, Naples, Italy

        2018 Traditional Division Winner

        • 1st: Peter Anezinos, Zorbas Pizza & Pasta, Millbrae, CA

        2018 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Eric Von Hansen, Caliente Pizza & Draft House, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Southeast: Abe Colin, Humble Pie Pizza Co., Alpharetta, GA
        • Mid-America: Mathew McCrackin, Upper Crust, Lakewood, OH
        • Northwest: Sean Danger von Dempsey, Dempseys Brewery Pub & Restaurant, Watertown, SD
        • Southwest: Terry Thomson, Rickety Cricket Brewing, Kingman, AZ
        • International: Ricardo La Rosa, :La Picea di La Rosa Riccardo, Levanto, Italy

        2018 Non-Traditional Division Winner

        • 1st: Eric Von Hansen, Caliente Pizza & Draft House, Pittsburgh, PA

        2018 Pan Division Winner

        • 1st: Issam Halawi, Upper Crust, Lakewood, OH

        2018 Pizza Napoletana Division Winner

        • 1st: Umberto Fornito, Antica Pizzeria Frattese

        2018 Gluten-Free Division Winner

        • 1st: Antonio Langone, Molini Pizzuti

        2018 Best of the Best Champion

        • 1st: Tim Silva, Pizza My Heart

        2018 Pizza Maker of the Year: 

        • 1st: Umberto Fornito, Antica Pizzeria Frattese Frattamaggiore, Italy

        2017 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Nicholas Fink, Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Southeast: Brian Hall, Boombozz Pizza & Taphouse, Louisville, KY
        • Midwest: Joey Neidel, Tusconos, Buckner, MO
        • Northwest: Sean Dempsey, Dempsey’s Brewery Pub & Restaurant, Watertown, SD
        • Southwest: Kim Duncan, Forghedaboudit Pizza, Deming, NM
        • International: Luciano Carciotto, Pizzeria 7+, Italy

        2017 Traditional Division Finals:

        • 1st: Luciano Carciotto, Pizzeria 7+, Italy
        • 2nd: Kelsey Jones, Newcastle Pizzeria, Newcastle, CA
        • 3rd: Joey Neidel, Tusconos, Buckner, MO

        2017 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Northeast: Eric Von Hansen, Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Southeast: Jane Mines, Nimas Pizza & More, Gassville, AR
        • Midwest: Alex Garcia, Flo’s, Grand Rapids, MI
        • Northwest: Ed Barbeau, Pisano’s Woodfired, Bend, OR
        • Southwest: Constantino Anezinos, Zorbas, San Francisco
        • International: Giulio Scappaticci, La Cortiglia, Italy

        2017 Non-Traditional Division Finals:

        • 1st: Lars Smith, State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria, Los Altos, CA
        • 2nd: Jane Mines, Nimas Pizza & More, Gassville, AR
        • 3rd: Constantino Anezinos, Zorbas, San Francisco

        2017 Pan Division Winners

        • 1st: Giuseppe Manco, Prova Pizzabar, New York City
        • 2nd: Leonardo Rago, Panino’s, Evanston, IL
        • 3rd: Chris Decker, Metro Pizza, Las Vegas, NV

        2017 Pizza Napoletana Division Winners:

        • 1st: Giovanni Landi, Pizzeria Vanin, Italy
        • 2nd: Vito Iacopelli, Prova Pizzeria, West Hollywood, CA
        • 3rd: Kyle Garland, Touch of Italy II, Rehoboth Beach, DE

        2017 Gluten-Free Division Winners:

        • 1st: Issam Halawi, Upper Crust Pizza, North Olmsted, OH
        • 2nd: Vince Rotolo, Evel Pie, Las Vegas, NV
        • 3rd: Andrea Cozzolino, Zero95 Pizza Restaurant, Australia

        2017 Best of the Best Champion:

        • Graziano Bertuzzo, Italy

        2017 Pizza Maker of the Year:

        • Luciano Carciotto, Pizzeria 7+, Italy

        2016 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        Northeast: Nino Coniglio, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY
        Southeast: Jane Mines, Nima’s Pizza, Gassville, AR
        Midwest: Joey Neidel, Tusconos, Buckner, MO
        Northwest: Michael Rutledge, Farrelli’s, Tacoma, WA
        Southwest: Daniel Saccone, Saccone’s Pizza & Sub, Austin, TX
        International: Giuseppe Marcuccilli, Pizzeria la Magnolia, Roccasecca, Italy

        2016 Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Nino Coniglio, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY

        2nd: John Vigliotti, Peppino’s, Syracuse, NY

        3rd: Jane Mines, Nima’s Pizza, Gassville, AR

        2016 Non-Traditional Division Winners:

        Northeast: Andrew Scudera, Goodfella’s, Staten Island, NY
        Southeast: Brian Hall, Tony Boombozz Pizzeria, Louisville, KY
        Midwest: Brad Corbin, Sloppy’s Sports Cafe, Lakeside, OH
        Northwest: Alec Henrickson, Pompeii Pizzeria, Elk River, MN
        Southwest: Matt Hutchinson, Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana, Houston, TX
        International: Isaac Macdougall, Pizzeria Defina, Toronto, ON

        2016 Non-Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Brian Hall, Tony Boombozz Pizzeria, Louisville, KY

        2nd: Louie Bossi, Louie Bossi’s, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

        3rd: Andrew Scudera, Goodfella’s, Staten Island, NY

        2016 Pan Division Winners:

        1st: Eric Von Hansen, Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse, Pittsburgh, PA

        2nd: Massimo Mannino, Marabella, Washington, NC

        3rd: Tony Ganesh, Panino’s Pizzeria, Park Ridge, IL

        2016 Pizza Napoletana Division Winners:

        1st: Cuono Pannella, Pizzeria da Nino, Acerra, Italy

        2nd: Gazmir Zeneli, Rossopomodoro, Brooklyn, NY

        3rd (tie): Vito Iacopelli, Provo The Art of Pizza, West Hollywood, CA
        Gennaro Russo, Dal Presidente, Napoli, Italy

        2016 Gluten-Free Division Winners:

        1st: Victoria Wolf, Denver, CO

        2nd: Giuseppe Lucia, Zio Giglio, Lecce, Italy

        3rd: Frank Baird, Franco’s Pizza, Chardon, OH

        2016 Best of the Best Champion: Matt Molina, Capo’s, San Francisco, CA

        2016 Pizza Maker of the Year Champion: Nino Coniglio, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY

        2015 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        Northeast: Marco Flores, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY
        Southeast: Jane Mines, Nima’s Pizza, Gassville, AR
        Mid America: Robert Sipes, Marco’s Pizza, Toledo, OH
        Northwest: Aaron Hecht, Wild West Pizzeria, West Yellowstone, MT
        Southwest: Arturo Ruiz-Gomez, Joe’s NY Pizza, Las Vegas, NV
        International: Aaron Gehrman, Emilio Finatti Pizzeria, White Rock, BC, Canada

        2015 Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Marco Flores, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY

        2nd: Robert Sipes, Marco’s Pizza, Toledo, OH

        3rd: Arturo Ruiz-Gomez, Joe’s NY Pizza, Las Vegas, NV

        2015 Non-Traditional Division Winners:

        Northeast: Jeffrey Gontarski, Esposito’s Pizza, Manasquan, NJ
        Southeast: Rick Mines, Nima’s Pizza, Gassville, AR
        Mid America: Brad Rocco, Bexley Pizza Plus, Bexly, OH
        Northwest: Cameron Tittle, Kaos Pizzeria, Denver, CO
        Southwest: Haider Ali, 786 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza, Sunland, CA
        International: Sposato Domenico, Pizzeria La Conchiglia, Sona Verona, Italy

        2015 Non-Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Tim Silva, Pizza My Heart, Los Gatos, CA

        2nd: Joey Gonzalez, Isa’s Pizza, Phoenix, AZ

        3rd: Haider Ali, 786 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza, Sunland, CA

        2015 Pan Division Winners:

        1st: Matt Taylor, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco

        2nd: Nino Coniglio, Williamsburg Pizza, Brooklyn, NY

        3rd: Davide Civitiello, Rossopomodoro, Napoli, Italy

        2015 Pizza Napoletana Division Winners:

        1st: Tonino Cogliano, La Pizzeria, Frigento, Italy

        2nd: Thiago Vasconcelos, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco

        3rd: Akinari Makishima, Solo Pizza Napoletana, Nagoya, Japan

        2015 Gluten-Free Division Winners:

        1st: Joyanne Heard, Chi Pie, Edmond, OK

        2nd: Mike Eaton, Detroit Style Pizza Co., St. Clair Shores, MI

        3rd: Giuseppe Lapolla, Pizzeria Primo Italian Restaurant, Kilkenny, Ireland

        2015 Best of the Best Champion: Floriana Pastore, Corporate Pizza Chef in Dubai

        2015 Pizza Maker of the Year Champion: Tim Silva, Pizza My Heart, Los Gatos, CA

        2014 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Southwest: Daniel Saccone, Saccone’s Pizza & Subs, Austin, TX
        • Northwest: Leah Scurto, Pizza My Heart, Los Gatos, CA
        • Mid-America: Jose Suarez, Brown Dog Pizza, Telluride, CO
        • International: John Pizzo, Armando’s Pizza, Windsor, Ontario
        • Northeast: Brad Rocco, Bexley Pizza Plus, Bexley, OH
        • Southeast: Michael Athanasopoulos, Pizza Bizzar, Clearwater Beach, FL

        2014 Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Brad Rocco, Bexley Pizza Plus, Bexley, OH
        2nd: Jose Suarez, Brown Dog Pizza, Telluride, CO
        3rd: John Pizzo, Armando’s Pizza, Windsor, Ontario

        2014 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        • Southwest: Jerome LaSorba, The Pizza Corner, Kapolei, HI
        • Northwest: Laura Meyer, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco
        • Southeast: Daulton Cornell, Six Hundred Downtown, Bellafontaine, OH
        • Mid-America: Alec Hendrickson, Pompeii Pizza, Elk River, MN
        • Northeast: Nick Maggi, GoodFella’s, Staten Island, NY
        • International: Meghan O’Dea, Pi Gourmet Eatery, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

        2014 Non-Traditional Division Finals:

        1st: Laura Meyer, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco
        2nd: Attilio Guarino, Emma’s Brick Oven, Cranford, NJ (Wild Card Finalist)
        3rd: Jerome LaSorba, The Pizza Corner, Kapolei, HI

        2014 American-Pan Division Winners:

        1st: Matt Molina, Capo’s, San Francisco
        2nd: Issam Halawi, Pizza Bogo, North Olmsted, OH
        3rd: William Manzo, Federal Hill Pizza, Warren, RI

        2014 Italian-Style Division Winners:

        1st: Giuseppe Manco, Della Rocco’s Pizza, New York, NY
        2nd: Akinari Makishima, Solo Pizza Napoletana, Nagoya, Japan
        3rd: Johnny DiFrancesco, 400 Gradi, Melbourne, Australia

        2014 Gluten-Free Division Winners:

        1st: Randy Hueffmeier, Randy’s Premier Pizza, Oakdale, MN
        2nd: Senol Eskici, Armando’s, Windsor, Ontario
        3rd: Chelsea Basset, Wholly Stromboli, Fort Lupton, CO

        2014 Best of the Best Champion: Doug Ferriman, Crazy Dough’s Pizza, Boston, MA

        2014 Pizza Maker of the Year Champion: Matt Molina, Capo’s, San Francisco

        2013 Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        Northeast: Bruno DiFabio, Renapoli, Old Greenwich, CT.
        Northwest: Thiago Vasconcelos, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco, CA.
        Southeast: Jane Mines, Nima’s Pizza & More Inc., Gassville, AR.
        Southwest: Michael Stevens, Pallo Mesa Pizza, Arroyo, CA.
        Mid-America: Javier Valdez, Joe’s New York Pizza, Henderson, NV.
        International: Danilo Lupo, Pizzeria Defina, Toronto, ON.
        Wild Card: Leah Scurto, Pizza My Heart, Las Gatos, CA.
        Canada: Rick Nixon, Itza Ristorante & Pizzeria, Nelson, B.C.

        2013 Traditional Division FINALS:

        1st: Thiago Vasconcelos, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco, CA.
        2nd: Jane Mines, Nima’s Pizza & More Inc., Gassville, AR.
        3rd: Bruno DiFabio, Renapoli, Old Greenwich, CT.

        2013 Non-Traditional Division Regional Winners:

        Northeast: Doug Ferriman, Crazy Dough’s Pizza, Boston, MA.
        Northwest: Tim Hoffman, Barros Pizza, Phoenix, AZ.
        Southeast: Michael LaMarca, Master Pizza, Mayfield Heights, OH.
        Southwest: Joleen Piser, AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza, Yucaipa, CA.
        Mid-America: Melissa Rickman, Wholly Stromboli, Fort Lupton, CO.
        International: Floriana Pastore, Italy
        Wild Card: Lars Smith, Pizza My Heart, Los Gatos, CA.
        Canada: Rocco Agostino, Pizzeria Libretto, Toronto, Ontario

        2013 Non-Traditional Division FINALS:

        1st: Floriana Pastore, Italy
        2nd: Tim Hoffman, Barros Pizza, Phoenix, AZ.
        3rd: Rocco Agostino, Pizzeria Libretto, Toronto, Ontario

        2013 American Pan Winners:

        1st: Jeff Smokevitch, Brown Dog Pizza, Telluride, CO.
        2nd: Matthew Heard, Humble Pie, Edmond, OK.
        3nd: Matt Tierney, Pele’s Wood Fire, Jacksonville, FL.

        2013 Italian-Style Winners:

        1st: Michele D’Amelio, Pizzeria Testa, Liono (AV), Italy.
        2nd: Chris Calloway, Pele’s Wood Fire, Jacksonville, FL.
        3nd: Akinari Makishima, SOLO PIZZA Napoletana Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Aichi/Japan

        2013 Best of the Best Champion: Theo Kalogeracos, Perth, Australia

        2013 Pizza Maker of the Year Award: Floriana Pastore, Italy

        2012 Traditional Winner
        Tim Silva
        Pizza My Heart
        Los Gatos, CA

        2012 Non-Traditional Winner
        Andrew Scudera
        Goodfella’s Brick Oven Pizza
        Staten Island, NY

        2012 American-Pan Winner
        Shawn Randazzo
        Detroit Style Pizza Co.
        St. Clair Shores, MI
        Shawn also took home the 2012 Pizza Maker of the Year prize of $5,000 by winning the Mystery-Ingredient Bake-Off.

        2012 Italian-Style Winner
        Umberto Fornito
        Napoli, Italy

        2012 “Best of the Best” Blind-Box Bake-Off Winner
        Tony Gemignani
        Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
        San Francisco, CA

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