Napoli on the Road, a west London-based pizzeria founded ten years ago on the back of a three-wheeler Piaggio truck, was crowned world champion at the tenth annual 50 Top Pizza awards in Naples this week – becoming the first UK-based outfit to win the accolade.
Founder Michele Pascarella was almost lost for words after picking up the award at a ceremony hosted by the Teatro Mercadante in Naples. “It’s so crazy I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock. I probably need to have a few drinks and a sit down to process this. I can’t explain how big this is. It’s like the Oscars but for pizza.”
Michele knew he was in the mix after winning the European section of the awards for two years running – but that excluded competition from Italy, as well as the US and Japan.
“I didn’t think we’d have a chance against all the Italian ones. But we did it… this is the ultimate honour. I’m over the moon and so proud of all my team.
“I think we can finally say, it’s come home. There’s now no denying that pizza is a serious thing in London.”
Michele, who is described as “a pizza-dough genius” in the current Harden’s guide, is originally from Caserta, near Naples, and moved to London aged 19. He opened his first permanent pizzeria in a Chiswick side street in 2019, following up with a second branch in Richmond. Earlier this year he made a splash with the launch of a larger central London branch in Soho, where he serves a six-course pizza tasting menu.
All was smiles at the Chiswick branch as news filtered of the victory filtered back, and the volume of midweek bookings tripled overnight. Fabianna, of the managers, said nothing would change: “We’re a neighbourhood place.”
Pizzerias from 36 different countries featured on the Top 50 Pizza list, which is judged by a team of inspectors who arrive unannounced (and which, confusingly, is numbered to 100). Two other UK pizzerias made the list: 50 Kilo in Westminster at 23 and Stile Napoletano in Chester at 74.