The 2008 "International Pizza Expo & Contests"
Food Commentary by The Wright Gourmet
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a Seemingly everyone loves Pizza… but California Online Magazine wants to know who makes the best pizza? We are not talking about simply the strangest “Gourmet Combinations,” but all of our favorite everyday combinations like “Pepperoni, sausage and olives with extra sauce” type pizza. If you enjoy pizza as much as our readers this is important!
To answer our questions California Online set out on a search to find the best pizzerias last year, and our reviewers made some pretty tasty discoveries… the Inland Empire is blessed with some exceptional Pizza Joints!
But towards that end California Online Magazine discovered several Pizza Contests. From such contests here in Southern California we discovered Central California's "Pizza My Heart" restaurants. This popular chain of pizzerias hand toss some of the best pies to be found anywhere. If you are ever in Monterey or the Bay Area, "Pizza My Heart" is an absolute must try!
Best Pizza in the Bay Area... "Pizza My Heart" Click Here to read review
Yucaipa, California’s Culinary Secret… and the inside story, “AJ Barile’s Chicago Pizza” enters the contest. Click Here to read about this Contest Entrant
International Pizza Challenge: One of the largest contests, the “International Pizza Challenge,” underwent a transformation this year. New for 2008, the ingredient combinations are limited to traditional pizza toppings only… and than a maximum of 5 total. No mashed potatoes, garlic chicken & gravy pizzas allowed! This contest is all about who makes the best "Traditional" style Pies, and combines big winnings.
More than just Contests: We have focused on the contests, but the “International Pizza Challenge” in combination with the “Pizza Festiva” Contests are only a small part of the much larger “INTERNATIONAL PIZZA EXPO” itself. Held this year, April 1-3, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, this is a major event with training seminars and over 1,000 vendor display booths. This is the "Big Event" that pizzerias across the country flock to every year to find out the latest trends. A few will compete for top pizza making honors… have fun, and possibly win $10,000, and the “Best Pizza” award; which is the subject of this article.
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A Passion For Pizza
Featured Article w Reviews
More on the
“Pizza Expo”
For the “Pizza Industry” this is one of their biggest annual conventions. Las Vegas is a popular choice; but to the pizza loving public, although not promoted to the public, the “Pizza Expo” provides a valuable culinary service to the pizza loving public.
Along with promoting an increasing degree of quality these trade magazines and expos educate pizzeria owners and staff through seminars and hands on events; challenging and even rewarding the restaurants locally into producing a better quality product.
On the contest level… the “Pizza Expo” contest provides foodies an excellent choice of Pizzerias to choose from. California Online Covers the event to provide the flavor of the event to our readers and help promote the winning pizza restaurants.
For more information on either contest or to register for International Pizza Expo 2008, visit www.pizzaexpo.com or call Linda Keith or Angela Bass at (800) 489-8324. | | |
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“INTERNATIONAL PIZZA EXPO” Pizza Contests
International Pizza Challenge: This is the contest we love to follow… it consists of 70 Pizzerias from around the world competing for recognition as the “Best Traditional Pizza in the World,” a trophy and a check for $10,000. This is the prize and recognition that draws top Pizza Chefs from around the world, and the one all the Chefs work hard to earn.
The requirements are simple; only a red, tomato based sauce on pizza dough with their favorite cheese/cheese blend and favorite spices. No more than five of the following toppings can be used. Pepperoni, Sausage, Bacon, Ham, Mushrooms, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions and Olives. Contestants bring all the ingredients they need to make their Pizzeria’s best traditional pizza for an independent panel of judges. More importantly, these are the Pizza Combinations most often ordered by, and served us… the pizza consuming public.
Pizza Festiva XVI: This is the Pizza Expo’s search for the Best Gourmet Pizza Recipe... Literally. The contestants must present their secret recipe for their signature gourmet pizza to the judges when they enter; also the pizza must appear on the store’s menu… and a copy of the menu is required!
Eight finalists (the Elite Eight) are selected (and notified by February 20) to compete in Las Vegas at International Pizza Expo. Each finalist will receives a $500 cash prize and a complete International Pizza Expo package. All eight finalists receive a monogrammed chef coat and a recognition plaque.
An independent panel of judges selects four contestants to advance to the Final Four competition, with the winner from the Final Four being awarded a trophy plus a check for $5,000 and the designation of "Gourmet Pizza of the Year."
Only The Best Pizzerias need apply: This pair of competitions provides winning Pizzerias the opportunity to hit a marketing home run. Marketing opportunities abound, with the potential to increase Pizza sales by winning one of these contests. But more importantly, as California Online Magazine sees it, just competing in one of the competitions deserves recognition… and sets these pizzerias apart from the masses of mediocre pizza most restaurants serve.
The winners will make culinary headlines. The winning pizzerias see increased sales. These become the Pizzas we want to try... and all the others copy. We are talking about the best of the best Pizza in the world!
Closing Note: California Online Magazine is sending 2 photographers to the Expo, plus several editors... including one who was on tour with last years 2007 US Pizza Team in Italy at the International Pizza Games. We take our pizza seriously; so check back with the Wright Gourmet in early April to read our story on the 2008 Expo... and see photos of the event and the winners! | |
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