A global movement to educate the next generation of pizza chefs — born from a shared belief
that mastery should be within reach, wherever talent begins.
Days after crowning the world’s finest pizza chefs in Milan, The Best Pizza Awards unveiled its boldest chapter yet: a movement built not to rank the craft, but to give it away. Its purpose is singular — to make world-class pizza education accessible regardless of where a young chef is born, breaking down the barriers of geography, cost, and circumstance that have long kept talent from opportunity.
For the first time, a young cook anywhere in the world will be able to learn directly from the masters who define the craft and receive ongoing mentorship that turns a single lesson into a career. The belief at its heart is simple: the greatest thing a legend achieves is not what they build, but who they inspire others to become.
How the movement works
A growing programme of access, instruction and opportunity — awarded internationally, delivered online and on the ground.
The figure behind it
Franco Pepe is widely regarded as the greatest pizza chef of all time, and the only pizza chef ever to hold the Two Knives distinction from The Best Chef Awards. As Honorary President, he shapes the movement’s educational direction and sits at the heart of its leadership.
View Franco Pepe’s profile on The Best Pizza →
Watch the interview with Franco Pepe ↓
WITHIN THE WORLD OF THE BEST
2021 · Amsterdam The Best Chef Awards — Special Award, The Best Pizza
2022 · Madrid The Best Chef Awards — Special Award, The Best Pizza
2023 · Virtual The Best Pizza — 1st place · The Best Pizza Experience Award
2024 · Milan The Best Pizza — 1st place in the world
2025 · Milan The Best Pizza — 2nd place · The Best Pizza Identity Award
2026 · Milan The Best Pizza — The Best Pizza Legend Award
A note on independence
In accepting the role of Honorary President, and in keeping with the platform’s founding commitment to independence and meritocracy, Franco Pepe steps permanently outside the voting for The Best Pizza Awards. Having already reached the summit of the craft — and now helping to shape the very programme that will guide others toward it — his place is one of stewardship rather than competition. It is a decision made in the spirit of the movement itself: a champion stepping back from the rankings so that the next generation has room to rise.
Become a partner
This movement grows through the people and organizations who believe, as we do, that talent deserves opportunity wherever it is found. We are inviting a small circle of partners and sponsors to help fund scholarships, masterclasses, and on-the-ground programs — and to share in shaping a legacy that will outlast us all.
Whether you are a brand, an institution or an individual who shares the vision, there is a place for you in what comes next.
Partner with us: thebestchefpizza.com
To discuss a partnership, write to nadia@thebestchefawards.com
Franco Pepe represents the third generation of a family of bakers. His grandfather started the business in 1938, with an operating license granted by the Potestà. Since then, not even a wartime managed to interrupt the work. Pepe’s grandfather continued to bake, authorized to give the ration of 150 g of bread upon presentation of the card.