Pubs make National Pizza Awards grand final

A selection of pub and bar operators have made it to the final of the 2023 National Pizza Awards.

The annual event will see 16 chefs from across the hospitality sector face off in a live cooking showdown on 21 November at London’s Big Penny Social.

Dodo Pub Co (pizza above left), SALT Deptford (pizza above right), Playhouse Bars, Wells & Co and Zerodegrees will be representing the pub and bar sector at the grand final.

A range of indie names and well-known brands form this year’s outstanding line-up, with independent brewery Salt Taps and Margate-based Palms Pizzeria competing against the likes of Neapolitan sourdough specialist Franco Manca, Italian restaurant business Piccolino, and London pizza institution Homeslice.

Kitchen professionals from restaurants, food stalls and pubs across the UK submitted their signature pizza recipes in the hopes of making the cut. These will be the pizzas judged at the final next month.

On top of the signature round, the event will see pizzaiolos take part in a technical challenge, where they will use a selection of sponsor ingredients to make the ultimate creation, which will see one chef win the Pizza Chef of the Year title. The competition also includes a plant-based round, sponsored by former champion Purezza. Winners will be decided by a hand-picked panel of expert industry judges.

"This year drew stellar entries from businesses all over the UK, the sheer scale and quality of which we’ve never seen before," says Genna Ash-Brown, editor of Dine Out Magazine, which organises the annual event.

"Choosing just 16 from such a high calibre of entries was no mean feat, but we have our 2023 competitors at last – and the line-up is certainly impressive. The mix of up-and-coming and well-established names is sure to result in a nail-biting final. We can’t wait for them to step up to the ovens and see who comes out on top!"

The 2023 National Pizza Awards finalists

Bath Pizza Co, Bath
The G.O.A.T

Dodo Pub Co, Oxford
Sloppy Napoli

Franco Manca, London
Finta Diavola

Homeslice, London
Wagyu

Mamma Dough, London
John O Goat

Palms Pizzeria, Margate
Pepperoni, Stracciatella, Hot Honey, Basil & Cracked Pepper

Piccolino, Stockport
Wrong Marinare

Pizza Pilgrims, London
Pizza Pilgrims Pizza Chef Competition Champion

Pizza Punks, Glasgow
Friday Night Curry

Pizzarova, Bristol
Courgette, Goat’s Cheese, Jalapeño Jam, Garlic Oil

SALT Deptford, London
Oh Honey!

Slice Shop at Playhouse Bars, Northampton
Dr Pepper BBQ Pizza

Voodoo Ray’s, London
22-inch Margherita

Wells & Co
The Old White Horse, Baldock
The Nutty Professor

Zerodegrees, Bristol
Chingiale

Zia Lucia, London
Porky Slowdown

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