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www.ohiorestaurant.org 25 Spring Issue

Pizza with Pizzazz

The North America Pizza Pizzazz Competition attracted entrants from around the country to compete for a cash prize of $6,500 and a media assistance package valued at $1,000. The second place recipients received $500 and third place winners pocketed $250 for their culinary talents.

Garnering frst place in the gourmet competition was Robert Kopis, pizzaBOGO of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who delighted judges with his submission of Tuscan Fiorentina pizza. David Rinderle, Mac’s Pizza Pub of Cincinnati, Ohio, secured second place with his submission of Chicago gyro pizza. Third place honors went to Pittsburgh’s Fethi Turan of Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta, who submitted a spinach and feta pizza.

In the traditional competition, this year’s winner was Ronald Erich, of Mansfield, Ohio’s Warrior Pizza and Ice Cream, with his submission of lasagna pizza. Noelle Annetts, of Panther Pizza of Newark, Ohio, earned second place for her stuffed crust, pepperoni and cheese pizza submission. Taking home third place honors was Robert Saveski, Minuteman Pizza of Columbus, Ohio, who won over judges with his pepperoni, mushroom, banana pepper and sausage pizza.

Each contestant brought their secret ingredients and baked their finest creations in front of a gallery of industry critics. Daily, a panel of 30 judges ruled on appearance, marketability and taste.

2011 Ohio ProStart ® Invitational

More than 200 students from more than 20 schools competed in two events: culinary and management competitions. Another 100 ProStart students attended the invitational to observe the competitions. The culinary competition showcased each team’s three-course meal with a team of four and only two table top burners in one hour. Their poultry fabrication skill sets were also put to the test in the Poultry Fabrication competition. The student competitors of the management event demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. This was highlighted in their verbal and visual presentations amongst a panel of judges. Industry and educational professionals from around the nation volunteered their time and expertise to judge the culinary and management events.

The Ohio ProStart ® Invitational showcases the culinary and academic talents of the junior and senior high school students enrolled in Ohio ProStart programs. The goal of the event is to give students additional exposure to the foodservice industry through competition and the chance to view a world-class industry trade show.

The winning team from each event also competed at the National ProStart Invitational in Overland Park, Kansas on April 29 – May 1, 2011.

Winners from the 2011 Pizza Pizzazz Gourmet Division include Robert Saveski, Minuteman Pizza, Columbus; Noelle Annetts, Panther Pizza, Newark; and Ronald Erich of Warrior Pizza and Ice Cream, Mansfeld.

Attending the annual NAPICS ribbon-cutting ceremony are Peter Stern, Exhibition Productions, Inc.; Josh Schrand, Presto Foods; NAPICS Chairperson Ann Reichle, Angelina’s Pizza, Olmsted Falls; Geoff Hetrick, ORA President & CEO; and ORA Chairman Lynn Brown, Outback Steakhouse, Columbia Station, Ohio.

Michael Shepherd, Michael Angelo’s Pizza, Kenton, Ohio, shows off his pizza-tossing skills for Johnny DiLoretto and Good Day Columbus viewers.