USPT Premiere member David Jacobson, head pizzaioli of Acre Kitchen & Bar in Oakland, Calif. took first place in the cheese division of the Real California Pizza Contest: Tournament of Champions, Oct 17th, 2023. Teaming up with Spencer Glenn of Pizza My Heart in Pacific Grove, Calif., another former champion. In a dramatic twist, Jacobson and Glenn tied for first place with chef duo Leah Scurto of PIZZALEAH in Windsor, Calif. and Bill Crawford of Righteous Slice in Rexburg, Idaho.
The second round of the Tournament of Champions saw 10 previous champions pair up into 5 teams, each tasked with creating the quintessential California cheese slice together. Required to use 3 cheeses from a giant selection offered by the California Milk Advisory Board, Jacobson and Glenn featured a California Mozzarella, Ricotta, and truffle infused Toma. Splitting the honors was the team consisting of the Tournament of Champions winner Leah Scurto and Bill Crawford. Fresh off her win earlier in the day, the two collaborated on a winning pie highlighting California Mozzarella, Dry Jack, and Provolone.
