Local Chef And Restaurateur Places 2nd At The International Pizza Challenge ™

GREENVILLE, N.C. - April 11, 2016 - PRLog -- Massimo Mannino, Co-Owner/C0-Executive Chef of Nino's in Greenville, N.C., Marabella Italian Restaurant in Washington N.C. and Marabella Old World Pizza in Greenville and Farmville, N.C. recently placed second in the 2016 Pan Division at the International Pizza Challenge ™ in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was held March 8-10 and hosted chefs from around the globe for the highly competitive bake-off.

Since it's inception in 2007, the International Pizza Challenge ™ has grown significantly and is now widely regarded as the best pizza-making competition in North America. There are five divisions in the pizza bake-off. Contestants were capped at 30 for the Pan division, with Mannino coming in a single point behind the first place winner. "I'm extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish this year," stated Mannino. He added: "This is our third year competing and each year we learn more about what it takes to win."

Also competing in the 2016 Pan division was Salvatore Passalacqua, Co-Owner/CO-Executive Chef of Nino's, Marabella Italian Restaurant and Marabella Old World Pizza. While only the top three contestants are recognized at the competition, Passalacqua was a mere point away from finishing third. "A lot of hard work goes into preparing for the competition," said Passalacqua, "it's that preparation and pressure that helps us improve year after year."

Contestants in the bake-off must bring their own ingredients. Show management provides refrigeration space, equipment and ovens. Judging panels are composed of impartial chefs, food critics and others from the pizzeria industry, and they score each pie using the following criteria:Taste is scored on crust, sauce, cheese, toppings, overall taste and creativity. Visual Presentation / Appearance is scored on bake and visual presentation.

Marabella Italian Restaurant has acquired over 75 years of Italian family tradition from three generations. In 2009, Massimo Mannino and Salvatore Passalacqua opened Marabella Old World Pizza in Greenville, N.C. and has since expanded to include Marabella Italian Restaurant in Washington, N.C., Nino's fine Italian dining in Greenville, N.C., and multiple locations of Marabella Old World Pizza. All of their food is made fresh daily from centuries old authentic Italian and New York-style recipes. The family patriarch, Nino, visits all locations regularly to make sure "Nino's way" of quality food, personality and love remains the foundation of everything they do. Visit us at http://www.marabellapizzeria.com