The Doughdown! Our annual get-together with world-class pizza celebrities to showcase our talented pizzaiolos.

20 Chefs battled it out in the heats for a spot in our Doughdown final, but only five could make it through. Oh boy, was the competition tough and the standard high. Have we got some talented peeps working for us or what!?!

The Doughdown final is a pizza-fueled love affair, and our teams came out in force to support the five finalists and sample the pizzas. Our finalists are Alessandro Romanelli, Head Chef Canary Wharf; Antonio Forte, Head Chef Soho; Andres Donato Palombizo, Head Chef Selfridges; Anton Cherepakha, Head Chef Cambridge; Dame Niang, Senior Chef Nottingham. 

The finalist's pizzas were judged across the following categories - look, texture, taste, originality and overall impression and execution.

This year's judging panel all bring a different area of expertise and perspective to the table:

DAVIDE CIVITIELLO

A world champion pizzaiolo, Caputo chef ambassador, Consultant and pizza influencer. We’ve got so much respect for this guy - what he doesn’t know about pizzas isn’t worth knowing.

ANDREA VACCARIELLO – HEAD CHEF, NOTTINGHAM

He’s last year’s reigning champ and winner of the Doughdown ‘23 a head Chef at Pizza Pilgrims since 30th November 2020. He’s adored by the team and already a Pilgrims legend.

THOM & JAMES ELLIOT

Pizza Pilgrims founders, and between ‘em they’ve got all the boxes ticked. James is the creative lead and the boss of our guest pizza series, he knows what the people want! Thom’s the biz whizz and people champion, always discerning and fair with his opinion. These guys know what’s up!

PAOLO - BITE TWICE FOOD BLOG

A Pilgrims pal and Instagram’s favourite pizza aficionado. There isn’t a pizza in London he hasn’t tried, we rate that.

Both the love and the tension in the room were palpable throughout the evening, which ended with Anton, head Chef of Cambridge being crowned the Doughdown ‘24 champion. We can’t wait to see this pizza on our menu come September. More info to follow.

The support of our incredible partners makes the Doughdown extra special - thank you to our sponsors Belazu, Milton Sandford Wine, Casa Julia, Carnevale and Camden Town Brewery.