We're throwing a series of internal events centered around our pizzaiolos - celebrating their passion, dedication and skill. These guys are the legends at the heart of our business, slinging pizzas daily – this is their moment to get creative, show off and the best bit, support each other 🥲

The 2024 Doughdown is the fourth of its kind and year on year we go bigger and better. The winner of the Doughdown gets the sought-after spot of having their pizza on the menu for one month as the September guest special, across our pizzerias!

We want our chefs to express themselves via their creations and this year they were tasked with creating a pizza that says a lil something about them. The brief was to be who you are, but, on a pizza - somewhat autobiographical!

Last week we had 20 chefs go head-to-head in the ultimate cook-off each battling for the five coveted spots in the Doughdown final. A rambunctious and joyful day with all the chefs taking over our masterclass kitchen at Canary Wharf.

It was real food for thought to hear the touching stories behind the teams pizzas with many taking inspiration from childhood memories in their hometowns to serve up exciting and unexpected fusions from an extravagant breakfast pizza to a fitting tribute to one of their mum’s Caesar salad.

The pizzas were all judged against fair criteria of look, taste, texture, and originality alongside the overall impression and execution.

The talented chefs who made it through to the final are...

ALESSANDRO ROMANELLI

Head Chef Canary Wharf—Ale’s pizza pays tribute to the Neapolitan dish pasta e patate. A cherished memory from Ale’s school days is visiting his grandma’s house and being met with the comforting smell of this dish.

ANTONIO FORTE

Head Chef Soho—Antonio’s pizza has guanciale, apple, and a red wine reduction. It was inspired by his grandad, who used to often enjoy the combo of guanciale and apple on bread dipped in a cheeky glass of wine.

ANDRES DONATO PALOMBIZO

Head Chef Selfridges – Inspired by memories of a beautiful Mediterranean summer’s day all vibrant colours and fresh salads. Andres’s pizza includes a cream of beetroot base and walnuts.

ANTON CHEREPAKHA

Head Chef Cambridge – Anton’s pizza fuses memories of working in Asian-restaurants with his current love, pizza - an umami bomb his hero toppings include shiitake mushrooms, red miso paste and crispy rice noodles.

DAME NIANG

Senior Chef Nottingham- Dame’s pizza spotlights avocado, smoked salmon and spring onions, it’s a riff on a fave childhood dish, made often by his mum.

These five chefs will go pizza to pizza in the Doughdown final, so watch this space to see who will be the 2024 Doughdown champion and whose pizza we’ll be eating this September.

Big love and a shout out to all our talented and brilliant chefs who took part in this year's Doughdown. Check out the carousel below to see all the chefs and their creations.