The countdown is officially on for the highly anticipated National Pizza Awards where Britain’s most talented pizzaioli will compete for the acclaimed title of the UK’s best pizza.
Chefs from restaurants, street food stalls and pop-ups across the nation will go head-to-head to see which brand’s signature pizza is named the best in the UK on the 9th November 2022 at Islington Metal Works in London where the winner will be announced.
Two of Manchester’s best dough slingers have made it to the final round, Rudy’s Pizza and Crazy Pedro’s.
Rudy’s Pizza, which opened in Ancoats in 2015 and now has thirteen branches, have entered their Francesco Pizza. Crazy Pedro’s, which has branches on Manchester’s Bridge Street and in the Northern Quarter as well as in Liverpool and Birmingham, will be putting forward their fried chicken and waffle pizza.
Among this year’s line-up of finalists is Yard Sale Pizza, Fatto A Mano and Santa Maria. The 2019 winner Pizzaface, which has branches in Hove, Kemptown and Worthing, will be there too up against the likes of Zia Lucia, Italian restaurant giant Eataly, Playhouse (the new competitive socialising concept from Revolution Bars) and high street chain Zizzi, which will be represented on the day by rapper-turned-chef Big Zuu.
During the live final, competitors will participate in a technical challenge, where they will use a specific selection of sponsor ingredients to make a dish with the potential to win them the National Pizza Chef of the Year title. This year’s event also includes a meat-free round, sponsored by former champion Purezza. Winners will be decided by a carefully selected panel of expert industry judges. Winners will be chosen by a hand-picked selection of esteemed industry judges.
“The calibre of entries for the National Pizza Awards 2022 was so high that it made our job of selecting finalists more than a little tricky,” says Genna Ash-Brown, editor of Dine Out magazine, which organises the annual event.
“But this year’s line-up genuinely is our best yet. The finalists are preparing for battle as we get ready to fire up the ovens and count down the days until we showcase the very best pizza creations the industry has to offer. This is an event you won’t want to miss!”
The National Pizza Awards is sponsored by Arla Pro, Birra Moretti, Britvic Sensational Drinks, Fleet Street Communications, J2O Spritz, Jestic, Mutti, Purezza, Speciality Breads and Tabasco.
