Pittsburgh Pizza Makers Compete at the North East Pizza and Pasta Competition
Some of Pittsburgh's finest traveled to Atlantic City to throw down with the best in the world. Plus, mark your calendars for October 13 Pizza Extravaganza at Dancing Gnome.
Team Pittsburgh Pizza Competes in Atlantic City
This past weekend (or should I say pasta weekend), a continent of Pittsburgh pizza makers traveled out to Atlantic City to compete against the world in a number of categories.
Among the competitors were Edward Stalewski, Rico Lunardi (Slice On Broadway), Patrick Elston (Gus Franco’s), Michael Mercurio, Russel Hanby. A few other Pittsburgh folks were there hanging around the event, learning about the latest and greatest in pizza technology. But today we’re focused on the competitors.
First of all, who knew there was a world of pizza competition. If you wanted to you could probably compete in a prestigious pizza event every three months. Traveling to region after region like you’re on the WTA Pro Tennis Tour. A relentless grind that sharpens your prowess, exposes you to technique and partners you’d never dream of, and helps you hone your craft. It’s probably very exhausting and convoluted. Prepping dough, entering roman style pizza one competition then vying for Best America Cheese Slice of Pizza. All this to become the Roger Federer of pizza style, serving up slices that boggle the mind and tickle the palate.
Let’s start with Patrick of Gus Franco’s. He last competed in Pizza Expo in March. He entered the America’s Best Cheese Slice competition and finished towards the top of the pack, but a distance from the podium. Patrick said,"Absolutely great experience for us. The pizza, well, I couldn't have been happier with.” Sometimes getting the chance to show your talent to the world is satisfaction enough.
But the event is more than the competition. It’s a chance to build bonds with the community. Reminds you why you got started in the event in the first place.
Patrick said, “I found new inspiration in a few good meals, made an equipment purchase, met some wonderful people, sat down for a podcast (pie 2 pie) with Alex Koons, of Hot Tongue Pizza in LA, shared a great meal with Rico and Chris from Slice On Broadway.”
Ed Stalewski, Instagram famous pizza maker who has placed first in the 2022 North East Non-Traditional Division at Pizza Expo, competed in the Gluten Free category. He could’ve entered the America’s Best Cheese slice, but wanted to push himself and get out of his comfort zone. What Ed can do with pizza dough is astounding. Like a sorcerer who commands the elements, Ed can create and shape dough into astounding creations. Chiseling a masterpiece out of a hunk of marble dough.
Ed said, “I’ve always have made gluten free so I knew I could do it. Plus I wanted to do a big Detroit style 10x14 with a nice dark crown around the rim. I executed it perfectly and it definitely was one of the Best looking pizzas in the competition (in my opinion).”
Ed created another work of art that belongs in the Pizza Louvre. The pizza has homemade vodka sauce, pesto and bacon roses, an Ed signature piece. The dough / flour is made by Caputo called fioreglut.
With all this effort and passion put into a pizza, Ed finished fourth place overall. He said, “I’m disappointed that I didn’t win but it was just an honor to compete and see my friends compete too. Pittsburgh was definitely represented well there which is so amazing. We have great pizza makers here in Pittsburgh.”
Ed pointed me towards Russel Hanby who makes pasta at Mercurio’s and was competing in the pasta division. He said, “I was honestly a bit of a nervous wreck until I got in my rhythm. Thankfully Ed and another buddy Massimo were there and it ended up feeling basically like I was cooking for some friends.”
A common refrain from the group is that they are incredibly passionate about their food, they believe in their product more than anything. But at the end of the day it’s the community that supports them and keeps them growing.
I reached out to Michael Mercurio about his competition, but never heard back. He placed third overall in the Neapolitan division, showing great promise and traction that could lead to a high ranking at next year’s Pizza Expo. Also, check out Rico of Slice On Broadway in action here.
A Wickedly Delicious Friday the 13th
While some say black cats are bad luck, what about a black cat on Friday the 13th? Do two incredibly spooky things cancel each other out?
On the 13th, Black Cat Pizza is traveling to Dancing Gnome to sling pizzas alongside Alberta’s Pizza and Blue Sparrow. Three solid pizza shops in one location may create a gravity we can’t escape from. A delicious and greasy Bermuda Triangle that traps local pizza enthusiasts. But if I’m going to be trapped somewhere, I’d want it to be with three pizza shops and a brewery that makes the best beer (Lustra don’t @ me )
Pittsburgh loves its pizza, but it’s rewarding and exciting to see that the pizza makers love each other. There is acknowledgment that everyone is blazing their own trail and all pushing the boundaries of what Pittsburgh pizza can be. I think the lack of definition around what Pittsburgh pizza is has allowed so many varietals to pop up and do things their unique way.
Wow, who doesn’t love pizza awards, contest and rankings? It’s my favorite topic on earth.
Pizza ya later!
-Dan Tallarico, Pizza Journalist