Slice on Broadway’s Chris Ostapenko earns title of World’s Best Cheese Slice at prestigious International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas

Chris Ostapenko of Slice on Broadway in Pittsburgh prepares his cheese pizza in the World’s Best Cheese Slice Championship at International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Slice on Broadway.

Chris Ostapenko, a 15-year veteran at Slice on Broadway in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania wins the World’s Best Cheese Slice Division at the International Pizza Challenge during International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas in March. He bested 75 competitors in semifinal and final rounds to win the best cheese slice title, taking home a trophy and $5,000. “When it was time for the results, the Slice crew and many of our pizza friends all gathered,” he says. “When I heard the 3rd and my name was not called, I figured I lost, then second, same feeling. I thought there was no way I won first (Even though my pizza cooked beautifully) and we all started to walk away. Then we heard the magic number 59, Chris Ostapenko and I screamed with my team and could not believe it happened — was in a happy shock for hours and still today.”

The Division sought to proclaim the best cheese pizza slice in the world. Competitors present their top three cheese slices to the judges with slices consisting of dough, traditional red tomato sauce, cheese/cheese blend and spices. Once the pizza enters the oven, only a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil (infused or not), grated cheese & dry spices/herbs after baking are acceptable; No other drizzles, toppings, cheeses, or work on the pizza is allowed once the pizza enters the oven. Fresh basil is not permitted post-bake.

Chris Ostapenko of Slice on Broadway in Pittsburgh checks the bottom bake of his cheese pizza in the World’s Best Cheese Slice Championship at International Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Slice on Broadway.

“I entered the World’s Best Cheese Slice category and the rules were simple, make the best cheese pizza you can. On a Friday night I make about 100 cheese pizzas and I made the pizza as I do every day in the pizza shop, and the results paid off. It was our regular 48hr cold fermented dough, our house made sauce and our regular cheese blend. I think this pizza stood out because of the balance of flavors that we try to accomplish between the dough, sauce and cheese. I also nailed it when baking it this year in the over. Even though I do this everyday, we are still cooking outside our elements when competing.”

Ostapenko has competed in pizza competitions for years. “I have always loved what I do but winning this competition gave me validation that I am in the right career path,” he says. “I love having the opportunity to compete with some of the best in the world many of which I follow and learn from in the industry. This recognition has given me even more passion and drive.”

Slice on Broadway’s win has gone viral. “We were on every local news station, paper and all over social media,” Ostapenko says. “It was insane and I made more pizza that weekend then I have in a while but it was different because people where coming to try the World’s Best Cheese Slice!”

Damien Moore of Jackknife Brewing, Kelowna, BC took second place and Charles Cullison III of Charlie’s Pizzeria in Kingman, AZ, placed third.

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Check out a full list of International Pizza Challenge winners.

For more competition details from Pizza Expo 2025, visit our hub page.