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The world's best pizza chef has been crowned – and he's in London

Although pizza is universally adored, since Italy is the home of the cheesy delicacy, you’d expect the world’s best pizza maker to reside there.

But you’d be wrong.

In fact, the best pizza chef was crowned this week at the World 50 Top Pizza Awards, and out of a global selection of cooks, the talented winner is right here in London.

Taking the crown for the prestigious Global Pizza Maker award was Michele Pascarella, head chef and founder of Napoli on the Road in Chiswick.

Pascarella – as his name suggests – is actually Italian, but moved to the UK at the age of 19 and brought his dough-slinging skills with him.

He began making the dish at the ripe age of 11 years old, learning in a town called Caserta, near Naples.

Fittingly, Naples is the modern birthplace of pizza in southwestern Italy’s Campania region.

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Michele arrived in the UK with a group Italian chefs who opened restaurants in Plymouth, Truro and Newquay, while he set up Napoli on the Road in the capital.

He opened in 2019, but it wasn’t exactly a restaurant back then, starting out as a truck which Michele took to London food markets.

But that business model has since transformed into two flourishing restaurants which have won countless awards.

Napoli on the Road previously won a spot in the top 50 pizzas in Europe in 2021, the top 50 pizzas in the world in 2022, while Michele nabbed the title of best European pizza maker earlier this year. 

Speaking to The Chiswick Calendar, he said: ‘[The 50 Top Pizza awards are] like the Michelin guide for pizza.’

The brilliant chef can now add Global Pizza Maker of the Year to his roster – and it’s not an easy title to win.

The winner must make it through a rigorous selection process, including anonymous restaurant visits by pizza critics. It’s like a covert operation.

Michele added: ‘Winning Pizza Maker of the Year is a testament to pushing the boundaries of flavour and innovation within pizza.

‘It’s not just about crafting the perfect dough or finding the finest ingredients; it’s about the artistry and passion that goes into every slice.’

He has now been dubbed the ‘pioneer of contemporary pizza,’ with signature toppings including Genovese ragu, crispy parmigiano reggiano chips, courgette cream, and beef fillet tartare.

It’s not your average pepperoni, that’s for sure.

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