BEST PIZZA ON LONG ISLAND CONTEST & FESTIVAL
The Best Pizza on Long Island Contest & Festival is an annual event put together by LongIsland.com to promote local pizzerias and at the same time raise funds for a good cause.
A portion of the proceeds goes to Long Island Cares and Island Harvest, non-profit organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry on Long Island.
The 3rd Annual Best Pizza on Long Island Festival and Bake-Off was held on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at Adventureland Family Fun Park.
Pizzeria finalists were the top contenders as voted by Long Islanders in the Best Pizza on Long Island Contest. Visitors to the site were able to vote for their favorite pizza by entering their votes on the Web site. The top five pizzerias were invited down for the final taste test and judging at the Long Island Pizza Festval / Bake-Off.
...AND THE WINNERS ARE
Best 'REGULAR' Pizza
Gigante's Pizza of Oceanside
Prince Umberto's of Franklin Square
Gigante's Pizza of Oceanside
Spassos Pizzeria of Wantagh*
Prince Umberto's of Frankin Square**
*Spassos Pizza of Wantagh won for Best Grandma Pizza. In addition, Spassos was deemed 'Best Overall' in the Long Island Pizza Contest. Spassos was honored by Joe Carlucci, World Champion Pizza Acrobat to represent the World Pizza Champions in the World Pizza Championships to be held in Salsomaggiore, Italy in April, 2006. Spassos receives an all-expense paid trip to Italy representing the United States and sponsored by the World Pizza champions, Inc. For more information go to: http://www.worldpizzachampions.com
**Prince Umberto's Pizza of Franklin Square won in two categories, Best Sicilian and Best Specialty Pizza. As a special honor Prince Umberto's will go on to compete in the American Pizza Championships. The winner from the American Pizza Championships competition goes on to compete representing the US in the America's Plate, an International Competition held at Pizza Marketing Quarterly (PMQ) New York Pizza Show on November 1-2, 2005. For more information about the New York Pizza Show, go to http://www.newyorkpizzashow.com
It was an awesome fun-filled day with pizza related activites for everyone. Event goers were able to sample slices of pizza prepared by the participating pizzerias. Activities for the kids included mini-pie making which, was sponsored by Paradiso Pizza of Mount Sinai. Pizza Pup was on hand to help the kid's roll out their dough and prepare their pizza. Once the mini-pies were baked, the kid were able to enjoy their creations.
Joe Carlucci, of the World Champion Pizza Acrobats was among the panel of celebrity judges. In between taste testing, he WOWed the crowd with an amazing demonstration of pizza dough tossing.
During the Pizza Eating Contest, the crowd cheered on the contestants as they gobbled up pizza. "Skinny Mike" Hoffman, the long shot, surprised the crowd by being the first to finish an entire pizza. Mike took home the coveted Golden Pizza Slicer Award, a gift certificate, t-shirt and $100. Runners up also received prizes.
Bonanza Italian Ices was on hand with a delicious assortment of gourmet italian ices to compliment the variety of pizzas offered at the festival.
Albert's II Pizza of West Babylon volunteered their time and donated supplies to make pizza for the hungry crowds.
Marsal & Sons provided the Pizza Ovens for the day. Cremosa Foods helped to get the word out about the contest to the pizzerias. They also provided supplies and refrigeration. Adventureland hosted the event and their dedicated staff made sure everything ran smoothly.
Sponsors include Party Pizzazz, event planning services; World Champion Pizza Acrobats; Adventureland Family Fun Park; Cremosa Foods; Marsal & Sons, Inc. Pizza Ovens and WBAB Radio Station.
This is an officially sanction event by Pizza Marketing Quarterly Magazine (PMQ) as a preliminary competition to the American Pizza Championships.
Supporters, donations, volunteers and friends are gratefully acknowledged for helping to make this event possible.
Special thanks to Bonanza Italian Ices, Target Marketing & Design, The Printing Experience of Seaford, Bill Moseley of BBA Photography, Pizza Pup, Marriott Vacation Club, Hofstra Film Crew, our panel of Celebrity Judges and all of our wonderful volunteers.
Contributing pizzerias included:
- Albert’s II Pizza of West Babylon
- Gigante's Pizza of Oceanside
- Nina's Pizza of Northport
- Paradiso Pizza of Mount Sinai
- Pietro's Pizza of East Meadow
- Prince Umberto's Pizza of Franklin Square
- Spassos Pizza of Wantagh
These pizzerias not only make awesome pizza, but they are proud supporters of the Long Islander community. So, next time you are hungry for pizza tell them LongIsland.com sent you!
Next year's contest will begin Spring 2006. Check LongIsland.com for updates and more information about the Best Pizza on Long Island Contest 2006.
Festival Photos
View 2004 Festival Video
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