Pizza Expo is Next Week
I didn't exactly do my Pizza Expo homework, but sometimes that's okay.
Hi there!
In past years I would have done a better job keeping track of which Pittsburgh pizza makers are attending Pittsburgh Pizza Expo. Caliente is of course sending an army of participants to justify the domain of worldsbestpizza (DOT) com. Mercurio’s is coming off a big win in Italy, and the Slice On Broadway Team has been on the competition circuit.
You can read a recap of the Pittsburgh participants in the 2024 Pizza Expo, but I’m interested in the up-and-coming pizza prodigies competing in the program. Competing at the International Pizza Challenge is daunting. Traveling to Las Vegas to compete in a foreign environment is tough. You’re out of your element, middle of a desert, and nearly every variable is out of your control. Pizza making is chemistry and the less you have control over the more volatile your creation. Can a rose blossom in the desert heat? If the right factors come together, maybe they can.
I’ve exchanged a few messages with Joh McCaffrey about his upcoming trip to Pizza Expo. He’s a chef at Yellow Bridge Brewing and churns out incredibly delicious pizzas. I’ve watched his pizza evolution from a far, never working up the courage to take the trip out to Yellow Bridge Brewing myself. That will all change in the near future.
John went to Pizza Expo in 2024 where he competed in the acrobatic exhibition. This year he’s cooking in the Best Slice of Cheese Pizza. A daunting competition where a competitor has to adhere to strict guidelines to make the best cheese pizza over two days. John is transporting his own dough and taking extreme precautions to make sure the dough arrives in a shape he can work with.
“I am keeping my dough as cold as possible, I have insulated food shipping boxes, frozen gel packs, individual containers with lids and room to expand for each dough ball,” John said. “There’s a lot to account for, cabin pressure, elevation the temperature difference from going from the East Coast to the West Coast. I will have a few dough balls frozen just in case and then use them for test bakes. I am bringing my own throw dough for the freestyle acrobatics comp and will be freezing that for sure, it will make the dough really rubbery to spin around.”
This year, John will be accompanied by Ian Staab, owner of Yellow Bridge Brewing who will help document the adventure. A successful trip to Pizza Expo could result in national recognition which bring a deluge of visitors. Every shop here is vying for a plaque they can proudly hang in their shop to attract customers curious what nationally ranked pizza taste like.
I’ll keep you updated on any dispatches from Pizza Expo as they roll in.
What’s it like to go to Pizza Expo?
Hard to believe that I went to Pizza Expo with my dad seven years ago. I chronicled that trip in a few videos.
Getting to Pizza Expo
Pizza Expo Highlight Reel
Pizza Technology Like Pizza Vending Machine
Wow it’s like you just visited Pizza Expo!
Pizza Expo is an odd event. It’s a place for vendors to sell you equipment, there are seminars put on by pizza makers and marketers. The competition crowns pizza winners, but if the best aren’t competing are you really the best?
Makes ya wonder.
Hope you’re enjoying some good pizza!
Pizza ya later!
Dan Tallarico, Pizza Journalist
Yellow Bridge pizza is outstanding. Definitely worth the trip.