RETURN OF THE CHAMPIONS

Wilhelm Rodriguez (left) of Papa’s Pizza in Puerto Rico made a big splash during Hurricane Nicole at the Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup & Acrobatics Trials in Orlando. Also pictured are multi-time world spinning champion and USPT acrobatic coach Jamie Culliton and McKenna Carney, Joseph Streeter, Kevin Knott and Travis Siebens. They’re all part of the team at The Nona Slice House in Safety Harbor, Florida, and celebrated wins in numerous categories.

USPT heavy hitters Cristina Aceves Smith of State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria and Daniel Saccone of Saccone’s Pizza & Subs represented the team well at the Pizza & Pasta Northeast competition in Atlantic City. Cristina took 1st Place in NonTraditional and scored the Best Roman Style, while Saccone took 1st place in the Pasta category and 6th overall in Calzones.

Lenny Rago of Panino’s Pizzeria in Evanston, Illinois, swept the Chicago US Pizza Cup, taking first place in both the Deep Dish and Tavern Style categories. Rago secured his ticket to Italy to compete in the World Pizza Championship.

The newest member of the USPT, Vittoria Trupiano of Mangia e Bevi in Oceanside, California, hit the ground running. While scoring in the top 4 in the Pan Division at her very first Pizza Expo—just a mere .42 away from the podium—Trupiano took 1st in the Galbani Pro Team division with the highest score!