Best pizza in town

Peter Goffe-Wood won the Global Pizza Challenge at Hostex 2011 in Johannesburg last week. Goffe-Wood, of Wild Woods Bistro and Bar in Hout Bay, created a Cape Malay-inspired ostrich bobotie pizza, presented on a pale ale base and created with homemade peach chutney and Tomato Pronto chakalaka sauce.

Among the top five chefs and their pizzas entered into the four-day event were:

Barbara Khumalo of Blikkie Pizzeria in Paternoster – Smoked snoek with marinated bokkoms, sweet potato and Peppadew

Tony Rose of Tony’s Spaghetti Grill in Johannesburg – Roasted butternut with gorgonzola and crisp sage

Tammy Henton of Piccolo Mondo Restaurant in The Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg – Braised lamb, crispy onions and humus pizza with Dukkah-infused crust

Jodi-Ann Pearton of The Food Design Agency in Johannesburg – Tea smoked kingklip, on a stone ground corn and fennel base with cauliflower emulsion

The competition is now in its third year locally and 13th internationally and continues to gain momentum. This year saw over 85 national entries from pizza makers and chefs across the country toss their most creative pizza recipe into the fire, in the hope of claiming the ultimate title of Global Pizza Challenge South Africa winner.

Arnold Tanzer, co-owner of the Global Pizza Challenge and competition judge, says of this year’s event: “Pete’s pizza was a true reflection of local taste, flavour and culture. It was well balanced, from its thin base and ratio of topping components to its final sprinkling of Buffalo Ridge Mozzarella and Bandini Mozzarella. We believe that this pizza creation will do us proud at the international competition finale, while not only showcasing the talents of our chefs, but also our unique cuisine and excellent homegrown produce.”

Goffe-Wood won a G3 Ferrari Pizza oven as well as a trip to Sydney in September 2011 to represent South Africa in the Global Pizza Challenge Finals.

Under the auspices of the South African Chefs Association, all entries received were assessed by a panel of top chefs for originality, balance, creativity, commercial viability and excitement factor.

The selected 34 finalists were invited to recreate their recipes at Hostex 2011 in Johannesburg from 13 to 16 March. One overall winner and top five pizzas were named.

A corporate social responsibility element was added to the judging process, with contestants’ pizzas offered to audience members. Charity of choice, Bidvest World Chefs’ Tour Against Hunger, provided a donation box for all slices of pizza consumed during the competition. Close on R2 500 was raised towards this event.