Ireland’s Alessandro Capozzi announced as world pizza champion at international competition
The man behind Press Up Group’s pizza has been crowned winner at the international pizza championship Campionato Nazionale DOC in Italy. Having previously been placed second in 2019, Alessandro Capozzi took the top prize of the world’s best pizzaiolo at the prestigious awards recently, which is recognised by UNESCO in support of Neopolitan-style pizza.
Alessandro took up the new position of Executive Pizza Chef for the Press Up Group in 2021, overseeing menu creation, sourcing, training and quality control across many of the Group’s venues including Sophie’s in Dublin and Cork, Roberta’s, Layla’s, Mackenzie’s, Isabelle’s and Angelina’s.
The Campionato Nazionale DOC is an annual event, now in its 7th year, where chefs from all over the world, as well as from across Italy, come together to compete for the title of Best Italian Pizza Chef. Over 350 entrants from across the world compete across 16 categories, with over 1,000 competition pizzas being made.
Alessandro’s won the title with his One Margherita, topped with San Marzano tomato sauce, Agerola fior di latte, fresh basil and EVO oil. His second award winning pizza was topped with butternut squash cream, guanciale, fior di latte, buffalo stracciatella DOP, black truffle and crispy black kale.
Since joining the Press Up Group, Alessandro has transformed the Group’s pizzas which now follow the Neapolitan style. The thin base is light, soft and highly digestible, with the highest quality ingredients and toppings, sourced directly from Alessandro’s preferred suppliers in Italy.
Alessandro is from Avellino in the heart of the Campania province of Southern Italy. Located just a stone’s throw from the Amalfi between Naples and Capri, it’s a hilly town rich in history and famous for its food provenance.
Alessandro has never stopped cooking. From starting out in his brother’s pizza restaurant in Avellino at the age of 10, to studying at the IP.S.A.R. Alberghiero cooking school, training and working alongside starred Italian chef Paolo Barestale, and working overseas in Spain, England and now Ireland, it’s fair to say this is a man obsessed with his trade.
In Alessandro’s 31 years he has been constantly learning and honing his pizza making skills, now recognised on the world stage. Despite his recent award, Alessandro is not slowing down anytime soon.
“I am really happy with what I’ve done so far in my career and the experiences I’ve had. Pizza is my passion and I always want to do it at a high level. I’m proud to showcase the ingredients from my region, and the UNESCO protected Neapolitan style of pizza. Winning the world championship has fuelled my ambition to continue to share this pizza with the world! I am always looking for new goals and surprises, without stimuli there is no passion”, says Alessandro.
The Press Up Group are incredibly proud of Alessandro for achieving this great honour, and are delighted to provide a platform for him to showcase his talent across the Group’s portfolio of restaurants.
