A two-day pizza challenge, which took place at Melita Gardens in Balzan, brought together 50 local chefs to compete in a culinary showdown of pizza- making, to win a professional pizza course at the Accademia Pizzaioli in Italy.

The challenge, organised by AppleCore Foods, the exclusive importers of Arla Mozzarella in Malta, gave contestants 20 minutes each to prepare two pizzas: the classic Margherita and a mystery pizza of their choice, created using a combination of the ingredients provided.

A panel of international judges, from Accademia Pizzaioli, Molini Pivetti and Arla Foods, tasted the pizzas and gave valuable criticism throughout the competition.

This year, AppleCore Foods welcomed world-renowned pizza champion Vasile Lucian as the Arla Mozzarella Malta Pizza Challenge Ambassador & Technical Director.

The Pizza Classica was won by Arseric Srdjan, after being judged on taste, baking and presentation. The runners up in this category were Godfrey Sant and Gilbert Portelli respectively.

In the Pizza Fantasia category, Patrick McBride scored the highest points, closely followed by Arseric Srdjan in second place and Godfrey Sant in third. This category was judged in the same way as the Pizza Classica with additional points given for creativity.

The overall winner was by Godfrey Sant, who will be off for an all-expenses paid professional pizza course at the world famous Accademia Pizzaioli in Italy. Nathaniel Palmier followed in second place overall and claimed the all-expenses paid pizza course in Naples with Master Chef Antonino Esposito. Arseric Srdjan placed third overall and took home a professional set of pizza tools provided by Molini Pivetti.