Naples hosted the 23rd edition of the World Pizzaiuolo Championship – Caputo Cup, an event that brought together over 600 pizza makers from 35 countries. The competition, held at the Mostra d'Oltremare, crowned Simone Zullo the winner in the Neapolitan Pizza STG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) category. Originally from Alife, in the province of Caserta, and currently living in Sydney where he runs the Fratelli Pulcinella pizzeria, Zullo won the title with a handmade dough made strictly according to traditional specifications.
On the podium, next to him, were two women from Asia: So Jung Kim from Korea and Rui Ebina from Japan, who took second and third place respectively, marking a significant female presence in a traditionally male-dominated field.
The awards ceremony was hosted by showman Lino D'Angió, with the participation of the mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, who emphasized how pizza represents a strong symbol of Neapolitan identity and a cultural element shared globally.
Antimo Caputo, CEO of Mulino Caputo, expressed great satisfaction with the event's success, highlighting how the competition demonstrated the versatility of pizza, its ability to unite different cultures and generations. Competitions were held in 12 categories, including the Trophy of Nations, Neapolitan Pizza STG, Pizza & Wine, Classic, American, and Gluten-Free.
The Championship, which saw the participation of countries from every continent, represented a true journey of discovery and growth for baking professionals, offering the opportunity to refine techniques and share experiences. This year's Nations Trophy was won by Korea, which stood out for its quality and passion.
Gianluca Pirro, president of the Neapolitan Pizza Makers Association, confirmed the importance of continuing to promote and grow this event, which increasingly attracts talented talent from around the world. The World Pizza Maker Championship thus confirms its status as an essential event for those who love and live the art of pizza, blending tradition and innovation.
Naples hosted the championship for three days, and it was great, but it seemed that many pizza makers came from too many places. Simone Zullo won with a handmade dough, and two women from Korea and Japan reached the podium. The organization seemed to be working well, but some details weren't well explained, and many nations met.