Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2019
Media Contacts:
Emily Daunt
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (517) 377-3933 |
Leslie Pardo/Michael Odum
Marx Layne & Company (248) 855-6777 |
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Announces 2019 Pizza Challenge Winner
Winner to compete in 2020 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas
Announces 2019 Pizza Challenge Winner
Winner to compete in 2020 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas
LANSING, MICH. – Buccilli Pizza was awarded first place in the Pizza Challenge at this year’s Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Show, the premier hospitality industry trade show in the state. The Pizza Challenge was held in Novi on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Pizzerias from around the state competed in a tournament-style format, starting with 11 competitors in the first round and four in the final round of judging. The judging panel included two professional chefs, instructors and hospitality consultants.
“We have incredible talent throughout the state. Michigan definitely knows its pizza, from Detroit-style to thin crust and deep dish,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We congratulate all of the competitors and wish Buccilli’s Pizza great success at the International Pizza Challenge next year.”
Each pizzeria chose their ingredients and baked their pizza in a conveyor or deck oven. Competitors had to prepare a pizza currently on their menu. Peerless Commercial and Industrial Ovens supplied the equipment for the challenge.
Buccilli’s Pizza in Houghton Lake, MI won first prize in this year's Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Show Pizza Challenge. The restaurant took home first place for their pizza, "The Alvito," which owner Lou Buccilli created in homage to his dad, Pasquali Buccilli. Lou’s son, Louie, crafted the pizza during the competition. Alvito is the village in Italy where the Buccilli family is from and also was the name of Louie’s grandfather’s first pizzeria that he operated in Clawson, MI from the late 1950s into the 1970s. The Alvito has garlic and olive oil topped with blended mozzarella, Italian sausage, onion, capicola, mushroom, the restaurant’s special tomato sauce and provolone cheese. The pizza was sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan after it came out of the oven.
Along with winning first place, Buccilli’s Pizza earned a coveted spot in the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, the largest pizza-making competition in the United States.
Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar, located in Grand Rapids, was awarded second place and Palazzo di Pizza in Royal Oak was awarded third place.
Pizzerias from around the state competed in a tournament-style format, starting with 11 competitors in the first round and four in the final round of judging. The judging panel included two professional chefs, instructors and hospitality consultants.
“We have incredible talent throughout the state. Michigan definitely knows its pizza, from Detroit-style to thin crust and deep dish,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “We congratulate all of the competitors and wish Buccilli’s Pizza great success at the International Pizza Challenge next year.”
Each pizzeria chose their ingredients and baked their pizza in a conveyor or deck oven. Competitors had to prepare a pizza currently on their menu. Peerless Commercial and Industrial Ovens supplied the equipment for the challenge.
Buccilli’s Pizza in Houghton Lake, MI won first prize in this year's Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Show Pizza Challenge. The restaurant took home first place for their pizza, "The Alvito," which owner Lou Buccilli created in homage to his dad, Pasquali Buccilli. Lou’s son, Louie, crafted the pizza during the competition. Alvito is the village in Italy where the Buccilli family is from and also was the name of Louie’s grandfather’s first pizzeria that he operated in Clawson, MI from the late 1950s into the 1970s. The Alvito has garlic and olive oil topped with blended mozzarella, Italian sausage, onion, capicola, mushroom, the restaurant’s special tomato sauce and provolone cheese. The pizza was sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan after it came out of the oven.
Along with winning first place, Buccilli’s Pizza earned a coveted spot in the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, the largest pizza-making competition in the United States.
Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar, located in Grand Rapids, was awarded second place and Palazzo di Pizza in Royal Oak was awarded third place.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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