A Look at Competitions at International Pizza Expo 2025 in Las Vegas
If you are motivated by self-achievement and a desire to be the best, you should enter one of our world-class competitions. I like to think that healthy levels of competition can improve your self-esteem and increase enjoyment of life and work in general, not to mention the positive impact it will have on your bottom line.
We are again expanding the International Pizza Challenge™, which is sponsored by California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). Since its inception in 2007, the International Pizza Challenge has evolved and grown to become the most prestigious pizza-making competition in North America, if not the world. This year, we’ll have 5 divisions: Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan, Pan, and the World’s Best Cheese Slice. You’ll have an opportunity to check out nearly 500 of the world’s best pizza makers who will go head-to-head to see who will be crowned the next World Champion Pizza Maker of the year.
Now in its second year, the Daiya Foods Plant-Based Competition will feature their Dairy-Free Cheeses. The crust/dough/batter can be fresh or parbaked. In addition, the dough, and all toppings must be plant based. Each competitor’s goal will be to showcase Daiya Foods delicious dairy-free cheeses and blends. We’ll also have the California-Style pizza-making competition as well, which is sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB). It’s a non-traditional California-Style pizza featuring Real California Cheese. Competitors from across Southeast Asia and Mexico will compete for top honors.
The International Italian Sandwich Championship, which is sponsored by Galbani Cheese, will take center stage Tuesday, March 25. This competition will showcase 50 entrants who will prepare their signature sandwich to see will be the next world champion. Entries will consist of any combination of Italian ingredients, meats, cheeses, sauces, toppings, and/or garnishes on any type of bread, roll, or bun.
Last, but not least, the World Pizza Games sponsored by Grande Cheese, is a 5-event test of pizza-making skills and abilities that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 26 & 27 with the Individual Event Trials in the World Pizza Games area and end with the Finals that will take place Wednesday evening at the Pizza Expo Block Party. The best pizzaiolo is crowned in each division – Freestyle Acrobatic Dough Tossing, Fastest Dough, Largest Dough Stretch, Fastest Pizza Box Folding, & Pizza Triathlon!
Pizza Expo continues to be your one-stop shop for everything you need for your pizzeria, including the newest products, equipment and technology hitting the market. Throw in an education program and demonstration program second to none and you have a game-changing experience. Where else but Pizza Expo, could you find nearly 500 pizzeria focused exhibitors on a show floor larger than seven football fields? The short answer is nowhere.
On the show floor or in the classrooms, you’ll find real solutions and opportunities to bring home to your business. This is your once-a-year opportunity to meet face-to-face with industry suppliers and take advantage of discount pricing and show specials.
I like to think that attending Pizza Expo will be one of, if not the best investments of time and money that you’ll make next year. As always, our commitment to you, our partners, is to produce the biggest and best show ever!
Remember, attending Pizza Expo is a tax-deductible working vacation.
It’s all pizza and it’s all for YOU!
Bill Oakley
Show Director
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