World's Best Pizza Not in Italy

CNN ^

[nickcarraway]

Australian pizza is now officially the best in the world. Well, sort of.

Judges at last weekend's Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza (Pizza World Championship) held in Parma, Italy, awarded the world's top margherita pizza title to Australian chef Johnny Di Francesco, owner of the 400 Gradi restaurant in Brunswick, a Melbourne suburb.

Di Francesco, 36, beat more than 600 competitors from 35 countries to take home the Specialita Traditionale Garantita pizza prize in the annual competition.

The win and subsequent publicity has made the small restaurant he owns in his hometown an overnight sensation.

"It's been an amazing reaction," Di Francesco tells CNN. "Honestly, I just went to Naples to do what I love. I didn't think it was going to make such a stir."

"A lot of people think it is easy to produce a margherita but it is one of the hardest (pizzas) to produce," Di Francesco told Australian website Good Food.

[trisham]

Very cool!

[Dalberg-Acton]

major cities here where they know absolutely nothing about pizza. New York and Chicago, for example

You're a brave man!

[PapaNew]

It was the place to be in the 30’s, but after WWII it was never the same.

[Mike Darancette]

Atlantic Beach area of Florida mid 1970s.

We had a VI in So Cal that our frat haunted. It was the best Pizza

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

Pepe’s, Sal’s, or Modern Apizza on Wooster Street in New Haven, Connecticut is my favorite place.

I second your vote. Nothing comes close to Pepe's or Sal's.

Sweet sausage with jalapeno peppers is the official pizza of our clan.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

Sicilian owned/operated Italian Restaurant in Germany attached to my apartment building.

[gunsmithkat]

Philly cheese steak pizza from Sparkys Place Restaurant in Astor, FL.

[logi_cal869]

I haven’t read any comments, so if I’m a like-thinker, let’s have a beer. My comment:

You know what they say about opinions...

...from a likely place, I’d say (down under).

(it’s a joke, Aussie FReepers...lighten up. You dished on my pizza, which is the BEST)

[luvbach1]

Gaetano’s on Tierrasanta Blvd in San Diego.

[Revelation 911]

thin / sauce / anchovies and a dusting of romano - well done

[familyop]

Thank you for the information. Very interesting. I can remember some disgusting leftovers growing up, too (English, Scottish, Dutch and many others). ;-) American food is now the greatest, thanks to the best from so many other nations.

[familyop]

"They were correct. Pizza originated in China."

Those pizzas could have had some very interesting ingredients. I know all about China from watching old kung fu movies. ;-)

[RightFighter]

Wrong. Gentleman Jim’s in Rockville, MD, or Turoni’s in Evansville, IN.

[kalee]

Don’t forget Vienna Sausage on it. :)

[Jet Jaguar]

Jet Pizza

Aviano, Italy.

[Gabz]

Same for me! and I grew up in NYC!!!

[PapaNew]

Running a good pizza joint while running from the mob. Mama mia.

[Osage Orange]

Late 60’s early 70’s

[Osage Orange]

ROFLOL!!!

[Osage Orange]

Before my time..............