Winning the 2025 California Pizza Challenge earned Juan Robles of Triple Beam Pizza more than a trophy. It opened the door to a life-changing opportunity to compete at the 2026 Campionato Mondiale della Pizza in Parma, Italy, where the world’s best pizza makers gather to test their skills on the sport’s biggest stage.
In this video, Juan reflects on the unforgettable experience of representing California, the United States and his Mexican-American heritage in an international competition filled with pride, passion and culinary excellence. As a first-generation Mexican American from Lynwood, California, Juan shares how years of hard work, persistence and dedication led him to a moment he once could only imagine.
Juan also discusses the importance of showcasing California dairy products in Italy, incorporating California cheeses into his competition pizzas and demonstrating the quality and versatility of ingredients produced in the Golden State. He offers heartfelt thanks to the California Milk Advisory Board, the U.S. Pizza Team, PMQ Pizza Magazine, and the many supporters who helped make the journey possible.
Along the way, Juan and fellow competitor and USPT Culinary Coach, Chef Vitangelo Recchia of Bella Napoli Pizzeria & Restaurant, earned an impressive 16th-place finish in the Pizza Due category, placing among the best teams in the world. But for Juan, the experience was about more than rankings. It was about growth, learning, representing where he comes from, and proving that with enough grit and determination, opportunities can take you farther than you ever thought possible.
Whether you’re a pizza maker, entrepreneur or simply someone chasing a dream, Juan’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t determined by where you start. It’s determined by how hard you’re willing to work and how relentlessly you’re willing to pursue your goals.
#CaliforniaPizzaChallenge #CaliforniaMilk #RealCaliforniaMilk #TripleBeamPizza #JuanRobles #USPizzaTeam #PMQPizzaMagazine #CampionatoMondialeDellaPizza #PizzaCompetition #ParmaItaly #PizzaChampion #PizzaMaker #CaliforniaPizza #WorldPizzaChampionship #PizzaPassion #PizzaCommunity #MexicanAmerican #CaliforniaProud #PizzaDue #PizzaLife
