Aussies (Once Again) Dominate World's Best
By Tom Boyles | PMQ Staff

Perth must have something in the water... that makes the best pizzas. In addition to Brandon Farrell, who placed in the America's Plate competition (see article on page 24) and award winning pizza maker and Perth local Theo Kalageracos , Perth can now boast another champion. Pizziolo Raffaele Brotzu arrived back from Las Vegas in April after winning his most prestigious award yet in a pizza competition. Raffaele took the ‘World Champion Title' after a fierce two-day pizza battle. He was sponsored by Dairy Farmers after winning Australia's National title at the Best of the Best competition last year.

Pizza makers and business owners from around the world gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Centre to watch and participate in the ‘World's Best Pizza' competition. Raffaele looked calm and relaxed when he was presented his enormous silver plate, which read, "World Champion Gourmet Pizza". He attributes his success to his secret recipe pizza base that always sets him apart from the others and the support of his partner and fellow pizza team mate Emilia. Without her he believes this achievement would not have been possible. You too can add this award winning pizza (minus the secret dough recipe of course) because Raffael has generously given us the recipe, which you can get at the end of this article.

The pizza that won was Raffaele's famous Mushroom Trio that has featured on his menu for over six years. The pizza is a simple white wine base with vegetable stock and button mushrooms. It is then topped with marinated wild Italian mushrooms, ricotta cheeses and parsley. It is still the most popular after all these years and is now the 2008 worlds best gourmet pizza.

Raffaele trained at a pizza school in Rome and has been living in Perth for seven years. The two Delizioso cafes are in Subiaco and Carillion arcade in Perth, where customers can expect the world champion pizza on the menu everyday.

Raffaele said, "I am delighted to win the world's best. It is my greatest achievement yet. My pizza uses a Roman-style, crispy-bottomed base which I top with delicious regional produce combined with traditional products from Italy. It is served as dine-in, takeaway or to reheat at home."

Congratulations to both Brandon and Raffaele for their outstanding performances and representation of the best of what Australia has to offer in pizza making. For further information about Raffaele Brotzu: Delizioso Café • Phone 9381 7796 • Mobile 0413187854 • Email; raffaelebro@westnet.com.au