The final pizza has been made and the flour has settled on the 2025 Pizza Expo and International Pizza Challenge. While some may say there is always room for improvement, I feel our team could not have done any better.
The competition was fierce, the judges were fair and the fans were hungry. The trifecta 
of a great competition. Our team made their bet pizzas, helped their fellow competitors and represented the team with honor. The trifecta of being awesome.
of a great competition. Our team made their bet pizzas, helped their fellow competitors and represented the team with honor. The trifecta of being awesome.While the entire team performed admirably, a few shining stars, along with some of their pizza proteges (marked with **), shone the brightest.
(All scores are subject to omissions and oversight, if I missed something let me know…but be gentle!)
Wilhelm Rodriguez, Papa’s Pizza, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
1st Place – Traditional Prelims
1st Place – Traditional Finals
1st Place – Traditional International Competitor
2nd Place – Pizza Maker of the year
McKenna Carney, The NONA slice house, Safety Harbor, FL.
1st Place – Daiya Plant-Based Pizza Challenge
Chris Ostapenko, Slice on Broadway – East Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA.
1st Place – Best Cheese Slice Finals
1st Place – Best Cheese Slice – Northeast
Alessio Passalacqua, Nino’s Cucina Italiana, Greenville, N.C.
1st Place – Southeast – Best Cheese Slice
Jayme Erickson, Danger von Dempseys Brookings, Watertown, S.D.
1st Place – Northwest – Best Cheese Slice
Jamie Culliton, The Nona Slice House
1st Place – Southeast – Traditional
Craig Allenbaugh, Sauced Pizza & Catering, Fairview Park, OH.
2nd Place – International Italian Sandwich Championship
David Conti, Red Planet Pizza, Ansonia, CT.
3rd Place – International Italian Sandwich Championship
William Harbison, Pizza A Modo Mio West Ashley, Charleston, S.C.
2nd Place – Southeast – Non-Traditional
Joseph Streeter, The Nona Slice House
5th Place – Southeast – Non-Traditional
