At this year’s Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Industry Awards, the judges identified more pizza and pasta restaurants than ever before achieving gold and platinum standards for their food and service.
The Awards, which were presented on November 15, aim to recognise the ‘movers and shakers’ who continue to drive and inspire this multi-billion pound industry.
While the increasing quality standards of independent restaurants were acclaimed at the dinner, there was also recognition for some of the country’s leading pizza chefs with the finals of a nationwide competition to find Britain’s top pizza maker – a competition won by Kim Hartley from 2 Sisters Food Group with her ‘Alternative Cheese Board Pizza.’
The awards also recognised some of the leading brands in our High Streets with Prezzo and Papa John’s taking the pizza restaurant and delivery chain awards
The overall PAPA industry awards went to a person who has spent many years in the Italian food industry, Simone Lavarini the founder of Spaghetti House. He has been in the Italian Food restaurant business for over 50 years. Simone (83) is a man like no other. As well as being the founder of the Spaghetti House Group, he is also the man who convinced post-war London to give Italian cooking a try way back in 1955 and to show that spaghetti did not grow on trees. His motto ‘spaghetti, but not on toast!’ is still valid today.
The 24th Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Industry Awards are presented annually by The Pizza Pasta & Italian Food Association as part of its role in encouraging standards across the industry.
The Award winners for 2012 included:
Overall Pizza Chef of the Year
Winner: Kim Hartley from 2 Sisters Food Group with her ‘Alternative Cheese Board Pizza.’
Whitworth Bros. Flour Pizza Chef of the Year
Winner: Darren Smith from Battlefield, Glasgow with his ‘Calzone Battlefield Pizza.’
Highly Commended: Barry Dooey from Sandros Pizzeria, Hamilton with his ‘Mascarpone Fruit Meringue Pizza.’
Dell’ami Harissa with Rose Petal Pizza Chef of the Year
Winner: Robi Miah from Pizza Roma, Luton with his ‘Casablanca Pizza.’
Highly Commended: Roberto Galici from Amore Ristorante, Glasgow with his ‘Beef and Harissa Pizza.’
Leathams Roquito® Chilli Pepper Pizza Chef of the Year
Winner: Pasquale Spaziano from Pizzeria Rustica, Richmond with his ‘Chicken, pancetta and Spinach Pizza.’
Bel UK Boursin Cuisine Pizza Chef of the Year
Winner: Kim Hartley from 2 Sisters Food Group with her ‘Alternative Cheese Board Pizza.’
The PAPA Industry Award
(Sponsored by Stateside Foods)
Simone Lavarini, Spaghetti House
Italian Restaurant of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Galbani)
Independent Platinum Award Winner:
Bar Italia, Edinburgh
Independent Gold Award Winners:
Amarone, Edinburgh
Farrell’s Restaurant, Bristol
La Piazza, Thornbury
Fumo, Waterloo Street, Birmingham Milano Restaurant, Leominster
Il Forno, Liverpool
Fabrizio, London
Chain Award Winner:
Botteliono’s
Pizza Restaurant of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Haagen Dazs)
Independent Platinum Award Winner:
La Favourita, Edinburgh
Independent Gold Award Winners: Bella Napoli, Glasgow Rossini’s, Northern Ireland
Pizza Metro Pizza, Notting Hill
Pizzeria Venezia, Rushden
Zeffirelli’s, Ambleside, Lake District
Roberto’s Restaurant, Ocean Plaza, Southport
Little Pizza Kitchen, Liverpool
Pizza Restaurant Chain of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Cuppone UK)
Winner:
Prezzo (Tel: Jordan Cohen 02085 054782)
Chain Pizza Delivery Chain Award
(Sponsored by Saputo)
National Winner:
Papa John’s (Tel: Gareth Davies 01932 574351)