THE Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge returns from today to find out who will be crowned South Africa’s favourite pizzeria in 2023, as voted for by consumers.
In a hotly contested competition last year, top spot went to Cape Town’s Ferdinando’s with second place going to Gino’s in Robertsham (winner of the inaugural 2021 competition) and Bardelli’s (Cape Town) taking the number three spot. Others in the top 10 included Gino’s (Stellenbosch), Enzo Pizzeria (Scottburgh), Caspita (George), Lucio’s (Randburg), Piccola Rossa (Edenvale), Osteria Rossa (Bedfordview) and Izzeria (Brooklyn).
Ferdinando’s owner Diego Milesi explained how it felt to take the title and why he decided to enter: “We came second the previous year and that showed us that our customers really liked what we were doing. My mission has been to bring passion to our chefs and get them to love what they are doing. We have always wanted people to feel at home at our establishment and to bring the best Italian food, made with love and consistency, to our customers.”
Like most of last year’s participants, Milesi says Ferdinando’s will be entering the challenge again this year: “More people are getting passionate about pizza so I think the competition will only get tougher. We are in it for the long run and hope we continue to be blessed.”
Says Porcupine Ridge spokesman Lynton Kaiser: “Last year’s competition was stiff, and the rivalry fierce but friendly. With 95 establishments challenging each other for the top prize, we had competing sisters and competing brothers, all of whom made it into the top 10, as well as the first KwaZulu Natal pizzeria to make it into the top five.
“We are confident we’ll get more entries this year and the competition will be even more intense while still remaining loads of fun.”
The rules remain the same, with the public voting for their favourite local pizzeria via a dedicated voting website. The restaurant with the most votes will be crowned South Africa’s favourite pizzeria, picking up the ultimate bragging rights as well as wine and marketing collateral to the value of R40 000.
By voting, consumers also get the opportunity to win weekly prizes, with one lucky voter taking home the grand prize of an EarthFire Tabletop Pizza Oven, pizza for a year from their favourite pizzeria, and 30 bottles of Porcupine Ridge Wines, all valued at more than R8000.
Voting will close at the end of September with the top 10 announced in early November.
Restaurants interested in participating in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge should contact their local Vinimark reps or email [email protected]
