PITTSBURGH, PA — Two Pittsburgh teens apparently have a bright future in producing pizza.
At the recent 2005 International Pizza Expo in Columbus, Ohio, Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse’s David Hansen, 17, won the Young Pizza Maker of the Year Award. Luca Lunardi, 17, of Pittsburgh’s Slice on Broadway chain, finished second in the competition.
Hansen is the son of Eric Von Hansen, Caliente’s head chef and a member of the World Pizza Champion Team.
“This award means everything to me,” David Hansen said. “I’ve always admired my dad’s passion and skill, and to follow in his footsteps with this recognition is incredible. I can’t wait to compete again and keep pushing myself to new levels.”
David Hansen’s included pink peppercorn crème, two-year aged asiago, smoked rosemary ham, finished after the oven with burrata, black rosemary truffle honey, fresh chives, and a shaving of seven-year aged parmesan.
The Columbus Pizza Expo is a large gathering of pizza professionals, drawing competitors, chefs, and enthusiasts from around the globe. With Hansen taking first and Lunardi securing second, Pittsburgh seems to have firmly established itself as a national hub for pizza excellence.
Caliente has Pittsburgh locations in Bloomfield, Mt. Lebanon, Hampton, Aspinwall, Monroeville, Sewickley, Crafton, Ross, PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, PPG Paints Arena and the Petersen Events Center.
Slice on Broadway has locations in Beechview, Carnegie, East Liberty, Robinson and the South Side.