October 11-12, 2026 |
Greater Columbus Convention Center

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Competitions

Rules & Regulations

The Great American Pizza Challenge

Step into the spotlight at the Great American Pizza Challenge, where top pizzaiolos, creative newcomers, and rising stars go head-to-head in a battle for pizza glory. From traditional thin crusts to dessert pizzas, garlic knots, gluten-free, and even the perfect pepperoni slice, this is your chance to showcase your skills, earn serious bragging rights, and claim your slice of the prize.

Compete in front of a live audience. Be judged by industry legends. And maybe walk away as the next pizza champion.

Day 1 – Oct 26, 2025

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

 

  • America’s Best Dessert Pizza – 60 competitors
  • America’s Best Traditional Thin Pizza – 75 competitors
    Highest Scoring by Style:
    • Tavern Style
    • Columbus Style
    • New Haven Style
    • St. Louis Style
    • NY Thin
    • Flat Bread
  • America’s Best Gluten-Free – 50 competitors

 

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  • Young Pizza Maker of the Year (Non-Traditional) – 15 competitors

Day 2 – Oct 27, 2025

 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

 

  • America’s Best Pepperoni Slice – 60 competitors
    Highest Scoring by Region
    • Mid-America
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • Northwest
    • Southwest
    • Canadian
    • International
  • America’s Best Non-Traditional Thin-Crust Pizza – 75 competitors
    Highest Scoring by Style:
    • Tavern Style
    • Newhaven Style
    • Columbus Style
    • St. Louis Style
    • NY Thin
    • Flat Bread
  • America’s Best Breadsticks/Garlic Knots – 75 competitors

    Past Winners

    Traditional Thin Pizza Division

    1. Tony Troiano
    2. Anthony Berghela
    3. Michael Mercurio

    Traditional Thin Pizza Regional Division

    • Columbus Style — Ed Stalewski
    • Flatbread — Wilhelm Rodriguez
    • New Haven Style — Anthony Berghela
    • New York Style — Gennaro Buontempo
    • St. Louis — Sean Sempsey
    • Tavern — Tony Troiano

    Non-Traditional Thin Pizza Division

    1. Nicole Bean
    2. Brian Hall
    3. Joe Harnett

    Non-Traditional Thin Pizza Regional Division

    • Columbus Style — Joe Harnett
    • Flatbread — Jillian Sanders
    • New Haven Style — David Conti
    • New York Style — Chris Battiste
    • Tavern — Nicole Bean

    America’s Best Pepperoni Slice Division

    1. Chris Battiste
    2. Wilhelm Rodriguez
    3. Anthony Berghela

    Gluten-Free Pizza Division

    1. Anthony Berghela
    2. Sara Boyer
    3. Issam Halawi

    Dessert Pizza Division

    1. Tore Trupiano
    2. Davide Lubrano Lavadera
    3. Camryn Suggs

    America’s Best Breadsticks/Garlic Knots Division

    1. Brayden Miller
    2. Franky Vigliotti
    3. Wilhelm Rodriguez

    Young Pizza Maker of the Year Division

    1. David Hansen
    2. Luca Lunardi
    3. Alexcia Aldasouqi

    Competition Sponsors

    Preferred Equipment