Who Will Be Crowned PAPAs Pizza Chef of the Year 2024?

4th November 2024

Futura Foods are delighted to once again be sponsoring The Pizza Chef of the Year competition as part of the PAPAs Industry Awards.

This year, YAMAS! Greek Feta was selected to be the star of the cheese category, challenging the chefs to showcase the versatility of this Greek hero! Chefs were asked to push the boundaries and not just crumble the feta on top. We were looking for trending cuisines, complimentary flavours and innovative applications, and that was before the challenge of exploring different styles of pizza bases.

55 entries from pizza chefs all around the UK saw YAMAS! Feta being used in a variety of ways. Each chef had their own take on how to use the Greek cheese, from crumbling, to baking, to whipping and even…

We also saw plenty of creativity when it came to the flavours that were paired with the Feta. From the traditional combos of lamb, olives and beetroot, we also saw the use of smoked salmon, pickled chillies, and mango chutney which all got the judges pondering how well it would work together.

After a tough judging process, the top 5 have been put through to the live final in November, being held at Pizza Pilgrims. The chefs will have the privilege of access to the Pizza Pilgrim’s Pizza Academy facility at their Camden restaurant, normally used for staff training and as a social enterprise for offering to upskill those looking for a fresh start.

Each finalist will have their turn in the spotlight to recreate their masterpiece and serve their Feta pizza to the judging panel that includes top chef Theo Randall, pizza expert Marco Fuso, and members of the Futura team.

The winner of the YAMAS! Feta category will then go up against the winners of the three other categories in a bid to be crowned the overall PAPAs Pizza Chef of the Year 2024!

Meet the Finalists

Here’s the five finalists and the pizzas that they’ve created:

Merguez Sausage & Feta Whip – Scott Holden, Scott’s All Day

Toppings:
Pizza sauce base with Merguez sausage, YAMAS! Feta whipped with yoghurt & lemon, red pepper, and finished with fresh parsley and mint.

Chef’s comment:
“I paired the feta whip with merguez sausage and crunchy red pepper”

What the judges said:
A great use of YAMAS! Feta to really elevate this pizza.”

You Feta Be Kiddin’ Me – Joe Suckling, Pigs Pizza

Toppings:
YAMAS! Feta, Fior Di Latte mozzarella, San Marzano tomato base, red onion, and finished with fresh basil and Wilderbee hot honey.

Chef’s comment:
“Baked feta, fresh red onion, basil and HOT honey – really is delicious!”

What the judges said:
“This looks to be a great combination of flavours with a lovely presentation.”

Get me to the Greek – Chris Glenn from Whisk & Pickle Pizza Kitchen

Toppings:
Finished with homemade feta crisps, there is also Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, YAMAS! Feta, red onions, cherry tomatoes, basil, Kalamata olives and a swirl of homemade tzatziki.

Chef’s comment:
“The feta crisps give a nice salty crunch post bake.”

What the judges said:
“The feta crisps look like a fantastic addition to this Greek inspired pizza.”

FETASIA – Michele Rutigliano, Due Forni

Toppings:
YAMAS! Feta, roasted red peppers, garlic, honey, Greek yoghurt and finished with generous drizzle of balsamic glaze..

Chef’s comment:
“The zingy whipped feta base is perfectly balanced by a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze.”

What the judges said:
“Simple but effective and a great looking pizza.”

Pear-fetco – Matt Ryles, Semonlinas 

Toppings:
Fior di latte mozzarella, YAMAS! Feta, burnt pear puree, sliced pear, speck, candied walnuts, beetroot, sage and sorrel leaves.

Chef’s comment:
“The feta shines, showcasing it’s ability to elevate the overall taste profile.”

What the judges said:
“A lot of processes and thought has gone into the ingredients for this pizza.”

The Pizza Chef of the Year finals is being held on Thursday 7^th November 2024 at Pizza Pilgrims Camden, with the winners revealed at the PAPA Industry Awards Dinner that evening at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. For more information, visit: https://www.papaindustryawards.co.uk/