Broadbeach chef Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato won the ‘Australia’s Best Pizza Award’ at Food & Hospitality Week.
Emanuele, who won both ‘Best Classic Pizza’ and best overall ‘Pizza Chef of the Year’ is a Sicilian-born pizza and pastry chef who launched Ciccio’s in the Gold Coast last October.
The winning pizza was a twist on the classic Pizza Marinara inspired by one of the great Italian ‘old-guard’ pizza chefs, Antonio Starita. In addition to the classic combination of tomato, oregano and olive oil, Emanuele added datterino tomatoes, pecorino cheese, and black pepper.
Emanuele said the brave move paid off in the competition and allowed him to showcase his skill as a pizza chef. “The biggest challenge is adaptability. I went from fermenting pizza dough at room temperature in the Gold Coast to 12 degree temperatures in Melbourne. Luckily I have the knowledge and skill to adapt my approach, honed from making pizza for the last 24 years.”
“At Ciccio’s, I do everything myself taking no shortcuts. We have over 40 pizzas to choose from and are the closest thing you’ll get to an authentic Italian pizzeria in Australia,” he said.
The inaugural Australia’s Best Pizza Awards formed part of Australia’s most anticipated foodservice trade show: Food & Hospitality Week, which took place at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 18-20 May 2025. https://foodserviceaustralia.com.au/
Australia’s Best Pizza Award Winners:
- Pizza Chef of the Year: Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato
- Best Classic Pizza: Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato
- Best Creative Pizza: Nicola Pellegrino from Ollie’s Italian
Sponsors: Caboolture, Euroquip, Le 5 Stagioni, Marana Australia, Perfect Italiano, San Pellegrino
