Francesco Martucci named as world’s top pizzaiolo at Best Pizza Awards

In a a notable shift in the global pizza landscape, Francesco Martucci, of I Masanielli di Francesco Martucci in Caserta, has been awarded the top spot on the Best Pizza Awards Top 100 ranking, making him the global number one piazzolo ahead of Franco Pepe, who has held the spot for four consecutive years. Pepe took second place, and Gabriele Bonci took third. The awards, held in Milan on 26^th June, also recognised individual achievements in categories such as Best Fried Pizza, Best Pizza Margherita and Best Pizza NextGen. The annual event, hosted at Spazio Antologico at East End Studios, brought together over 500 guests, including more than 300 pizza chefs, food journalists and international culinary figures, to recognise leading talents in the pizza industry.

Pepe’s influence in the world of pizza extends beyond his rankings. He was also honoured with the Best Pizza Identity award, which acknowledges his ability to express a unique sense of place, culture and personal vision through his creations at his restaurant, Pepe in Grani. The award’s organisers cited his “unwavering focus on respect for the territory, rigorous selection of ingredients and his artisanal technique” as reasons for his continued prominence. The piazzola’s sustained presence at the top of the list is described as an “unprecedented legacy in the history of these awards,” highlighting his impact both within Italy and internationally. During the ceremony, he received a standing ovation from peers and attendees, underlining his respected status among fellow pizza makers.

Other notable winners included Isabella De Cham of Naples for Best Fried Pizza, Eloi Torrent of Can Blanc in Spain for Best Pizza NextGen, Gabriele Bonci of Rome for Best Pizza Icon and Ciro Tutino of Naples for Best Pizza Margherita.

The event celebrated the diversity and vitality of the global pizza community, with participants from cities such as New York, Tokyo, Delhi and Copenhagen. According to organisers, “pizza remains a universal language of taste, technique and emotion”, as reflected in the breadth of countries represented in the Top 100.

Food Desk

For further information about the Best Pizza Awards and the full list of winners, visit the organisation’s website here.