A pizza chef from a hotel and restaurant in Narberth has been named as one of the best in the world at the Pizza World Championships in Rimini, Italy - otherwise known as Campionato del Mondo di Pizza.
Giovanni Recchia, who is the pizza chef at Top Joe's in Narberth, run by Daniel Warder, entered in the category of 'Mystery Box' where competitors were given a box containing mystery ingredients from which they needed to create a pizza in the style of a 'classica' or 'napoletana' using a dough of their choice.
The Top Joe's chef was faced with asparagus (which he used for the base), mushrooms, Campania cheese, basil, oil, Parmesan cheese and onion. After impressing the judges with his interesting creation, he was awarded the top gong.
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The 36-year-old was competing against hundreds of other pizza makers in categories like gluten free pizza, fried pizza, classic Neapolitan pizza, contemporary Neapolitan pizza and more, across the three-day event.
Speaking to the Western Telegraph of his win, Giovanni explained how he had prepared for the contest by returning to the man who taught him all he knew - his pizza master in Forli, northern Italy. There, he spent a week perfecting, practising and preparing his now award-winning pizza dough that visitors to Narberth can taste for themselves at Top Joe's.
He told the publication: "My mentality is, my pizza - for me - it’s amazing, for my customers it’s amazing but my mentality is to test myself."
He added how the trick to a good pizza is the base. The dough, he said, should act as a plate, and whatever is added to it creates the dishes Top Joe's which dedicated fans return for time and again.
Posting on his Instagram, holding the trophy, Giovanni said: "just believe in your own abilities and don't be afraid to question yourself. vivere di pizza è meraviglioso cit VC."
Following his win, he's currently working on a new menu for the restaurant which will be available in the spring. Pizza options on the menu at the restaurant, which has bases in Narberth, Tenby and Pembroke, include Zucchini (san marzano tomatoes, fior de lattte, courgette, pesto and riccotta); Inferno (tomato and cheese base topped with wild boar salami, red onion, fresh chilli and ricotta) and La Capre (toppings consist of red onions, goat's cheese and pine nut). The ingredients used in these pizzas, such as cheese and flour, come from producers in the local area and they also do gluten free bases as well as vegan options and pasta.
Giovanni is just one of the country's fine pizza chefs flying the flag for Wales with an award under their belt. He joins the likes of Cardiff based the 'Pizza Boys' who run Ffwrnes in Cardiff Market (which in 2017 won the tital of Best Pizza in Wales) as well as Stone Rock Pizza in Chepstow, which won Best Pizza Establishment at the Food Awards Wales 2022.
Top Joe's can be found at 32 High St, Narberth SA67 7AS. For more information, see the website.
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