A local pizzaiolo will be flying to Italy to attend a professional pizza course after winning the top prize at the Arla Mozzarella Malta Pizza Challenge, held on May 29 and 30 at Melita Gardens, Balzan.

The competition, the first of its kind in Malta, consisted of a junior group and a group of professionals.

Contestants were given 30 minutes to impress the judges with four pizzas each: a classic pizza, a calzone, a focaccia and a mystery pizza. The latter provided contestants with the opportunity to combine the traditional principles of pizza baking with their own crea­tive taste combinations.

International judges Adriano Tona (Accademia Pizzaioli), Tomasso Ruggieri (head chef, Menu Srl) and Jeppe Gammelby (Arla Foods) critically evaluated and scored each step in the pizza-making process, that is, the preparation, baking, taste and visual presentation of the pizzas. The overall hygiene of the contestants’ workstations was also evaluated.

Matthew Faenza received the award for the most promising pizzaiolo in the junior group, which was made up entirely of ITS students. Following in second place was Chloe Crossly, and Luke Ellul clinched third place.

Giuseppe De Luca was crown­ed champion of the day. Not only did he take home the title of the top pizzaiolo in the professionals group, but also claimed second place in the classica, focaccia and mystery pizza categories.

The win entitled De Luca to the grand prize of a professional pizza course at the Accademia Pizzaioli in Veneto, Italy, including flights and accommodation.

Runner-up Isaac Cocker, claim­ed the first prize in the classic pizza category and Dennis Butti­gieg, the second runner-up, came up with the best mystery pizza.

Speaking at the end of the event, Antoinette Stellini, director of sales at AppleCore Foods, said: “Following the encouraging feedback we received, we plan to host the challenge as a national annual calendar event. We invite all chefs, aspiring or professional to participate.”

The next challenge will take place in the last week of May 2016. All proceeds from the entrance fees for this event are being donated to Puttinu Cares.

For more information, visit www.applecorefoods.com.

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