INTERNATIONAL PIZZA CHALLENGE
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 four divisions, Traditional, Non-Traditional, Pan, and Neapolitan/STG that will be represented in the pizza bake-off that will showcase 200 of the world’s best pizza makers. Each competitor will an 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. A maximum of 80 entries will be accepted in the Traditional and Non-Traditional divisions; contestants are capped at 50 for the Neapolitan division and 30 for the Pan division. The winners of each division will face off against each other in a mystery-ingredient bake-off to determine who will be named the 2021 Pizza Maker of the Year.
Winners of the Traditional and Non-Traditional divisions will receive a trophy and a check for $7,500. Second and third 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. The winner of the Pan and Neapolitan/STG divisions will receive $4,000. Second and third place will receive $750 and $500 respectively for all three divisions. The winner of the Pizza Maker of the Year competition will claim the title of World Champion, a trophy and an additional $5,000 prize.
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:
Taste is scored on:
- Crust
- Sauce, Cheese, Toppings
- Overall Taste
- Creativity (Non-Traditional and American-Pan divisions only)
Visual Presentation / Appearance is scored on:
- Bake
- Visual Presentation
The Largest U.S. Pizza-Making Competition
Pizza Makers Vie for Prizes in Four Divisions
2023 Information Coming Soon…
2022 Schedule
Tuesday, March 22
9 am – 4:30 pm – Traditional Division Prelims and Finals
10 am – 4:30pm – Pan Division
Wednesday, March 23
9 am – 4:30 pm – Non-Traditional Prelims and Finals
10am-4:30pm – Pan Division
Thursday, March 24
7 am – 11:00 am – STG/Neapolitan Division
11:15 – 12:15 pm – “Best of the Best” Bake-Off
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Pizza Maker of the Year Bake-Off
2:00 – 3:00 – Awards, Recognition and Giveaways
NOTE: You must register as an attendee before you can enter the Pizza Challenge.
Registration for Challenge events may be completed online while you register.
Past Winners
2021 Best of the Best Champion
Nino Coniglio
2021 Pizza Maker of the Year
Nicholas Banker
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
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