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2/27/2007 |
Central Ohio
Pizzerias Win National Competition
Winners Take Home $5000 Each for Baking Best Pies
COLUMBUS, OH – Ken Jarboe of Sparky’s Pizzeria, Urbana, Ohio, and John Gutekanst of Avalanche Pizza, Lancaster, Ohio, out baked 100 other contestants in the fourth annual North America Pizza Pizzazz Competition held February 25-26 at the North America Pizza & Ice Cream Show (NAPICS) in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Jarboe’s award-winning “ATW” pizza took top honors in the traditional pizza division while Gutekanst’s “Cactus Jack Fajita Pizza” won the gourmet pizza division.
Winning the competition earned Jarboe and Gutekanst $5000 each for baking the best pizzas in their respective categories. The first-place cash prizes are the largest ever for NAPICS and for all other pizza industry competitions.
Second prize and $500 in the traditional category went to James Catalfino, Catalfino’s Pizza & Pub, Canal Winchester, Ohio, while third place and $250 went to Paul Cataldo, Antonio’s Italian Ristorante,
Elkhart
,
Ind.
After Gutekanst, second prize and $500 in the gourmet category went to Sarah Bankert, Marco’s Pizza,
Delaware
,
Ohio
. Third place and $250 went to Robert Carrabbia, Mama Lena’s Pizza, McKees Rocks,
Pa.
Contestants in both categories competed in first-round bakeoffs with the top five in each category continuing on to the championship round where they again prepared their original entry. Each contestant brought their secret ingredients and baked their finest creations in front of a gallery of industry critics. A panel of 25 judges each day ruled on appearance, marketability and taste.
For more information and/or photos, contact the Ohio Restaurant Association at 614-442-3535.
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