Chester Co. Pizzeria Named 3rd Best In The World

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — A Chester County pizzeria has been named among the world's best at the recent International Pizza Challenge, which brought together the premier pizzerias from around the globe for an intensively judged, category-specific competition.

Some 550 competing eateries took part in the recent event, which was part of the recent Pizza Expo celebrations in Las Vegas.

Kennett Square's Mezzaluna Wood Fired Pizza, located on 216 S. Mill Road, placed third overall in the "non-traditional division."

They also placed first overall in the northeast division preliminaries.

"It was such an honor to not only compete alongside hundreds of pizza makers from across the country and from all over the world, but to also get to know some of the best pizza makers in the world," chef Benjamin Tobin shared. "It was such an honor to not only compete alongside hundreds of pizza makers from across the country and from all over the world, but to also get to know some of the best pizza makers in the world!"

The non-traditional division features chefs competing live and is essentially a free for all, with no restrictions on dough, sauce, toppings, styles, or application of ingredients. Mezzaluna's bronze medal came out of a crowded field of 110 elite finalists from around the globe.

Another highlight for the Keystone State was New Columbus Pizza Co., based in Pittston in Luzerne County, which won the competition's "Best of the Best" event.

"I honestly do not even know where to begin," owner and chef Anthony Cerimele shared in a social media post. "To say that I am overwhelmed by all of the messages and support that I have received in the last 18 hours is an understatement."

The "Best of the Best" category features multiple past winners of the competition "Pizza Makers of the Year." Each chef must make their own pizza with surprise ingredients, and the only personal item they can use is their own dough.

PA's best received recognition in numerous categories, with a total of six different pizzerias winning or placing in the top three in major competitions.

All Pennsylvania pizzerias that won awards are listed below:

• "Best of the Best": Anthony Cerimele (54.90) — New Columbus Pizza Co., Pittston
• "Non Traditional Division," 3rd Place: Benjamin Tobin (53.72) — Mezzaluna Wood Fired Pizza, Kennett Square
• "World's Best Cheese Slice," 1st place: Chris Ostapenko (40.88) — Slice on Broadway, Pittsburgh
• "Pan Division Finals," 2nd place: Davide Lubrano Lavader (53.42) — Pizzata Pizzeria, Philadelphia
• "Pan, Roman Style," 1st place Davide Lubrano Lavadera (54.23) — Pizzata Pizzeria, Philadelphia; 2nd place Jay Falk (51.32) — Caliente Pizza & Draft House, Pittsburgh

The International Pizza Expo bills itself as the premiere pizza judging competition in the world. A total of 550 eateries, most of them from Italy, compete.