From June 9th to 11th, our tradition traveled across the globe to take center stage in Seoul. A delegation featuring our President Antonio Pace, Marketing Director Gianluca Liccardo, and Master Pizzaiolo Giovanni Improta (from Pizzeria al 22) flew to South Korea for a three-day tour packed with events, meetings, and celebrations.
Here are the highlights of this extraordinary trip:
June 9: Training and Recognition
The Korean mission kicked off with an important moment of sharing: meeting our local affiliates. During the morning, we officially awarded the "Pizzaiolo Verace" plaques and licenses to our newest authentic Neapolitan pizza makers.
Following this, the art of dough took the stage at Pizzeria O, where Giovanni Improta held an exclusive masterclass. Attendees had the chance to dive deep into the secrets of stretching and cooking both the classic wood-fired pizza and the iconic Neapolitan fried pizza.
June 10: The Vera Pizza Napoletana Champion Qualifiers
The second day was entirely dedicated to competition, featuring the highly anticipated Korean leg of the Vera Pizza Napoletana Champion. Local talents battled it out at the ovens to secure a pass to the world finals, which will be held in Naples from September 15th to 17th.
The champions who will represent South Korea in Naples are:
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1st Place: Jo Eunhee – The talented pizzaiola dominated the competition, winning direct access to the finals, along with complimentary flights and accommodation for Naples.
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2nd Place: Goo Jatat – Secured guaranteed access to the September finals.
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3rd Place: Im Jinwoo – Secured guaranteed access to the September finals.
June 11: Three New Members Join the Family
The trip concluded with a wonderful evening dedicated to industry press and our valued affiliates. It was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the expansion of true Neapolitan pizza in Asia by awarding the official signboards to three new pizzerias in Seoul, all of which have proven their strict adherence to our international guidelines:
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Plaque n. 1244 – 480 Gradi
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Plaque n. 1246 – Osteria Sotti
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Plaque n. 1251 – Ellie's Little Italy
A huge thank you to all the affiliates and participants who continue to spread the culture of authentic Neapolitan pizza around the world. We look forward to seeing you in Naples this September to crown the world champions!
