Zucca Bar And Pizzeria Takes The Pie At 2008 International Pizza Challenge!

You either win big or lose big in Vegas and Zucca Bar and Pizzeria beat the odds as their pie won the Southeast Region of the 2008 International Pizza Challenge? at the 2008 International Pizza Expo? held in Las Vegas, Nevada April 1st through April 3rd. The 2008 International Pizza Challenge? was the quest for the best traditional pizza in the world and was sponsored by Pizza Today, International Pizza Expo and the California Milk Advisory Board. The 70 contestants that participated in this traditional pizza-making contest were allowed no more than five toppings. The rules required that a red sauce be used on the contestants' signature dough with their favorite cheese/cheese blend and favorite spices. No more than five of the following toppings could be used: Pepperoni, Sausage, Bacon, Ham, Mushrooms, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions and Olives.

Zucca Bar and Pizzeria's winning pie was a variation of the Pizza Margherita that executive chef Danny Arturo tosses at Zucca Bar and Pizzeria. An Italian plum tomato sauce served as the base for the pie - with sausage, accented with cheese and parsley, direct from Bari Pork Store [considered the "King of Sausage" in Brooklyn, New York], mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil comprising the remaining allowed ingredients. Arturo just debuted the winning pie on the menu at
Zucca Bar and Pizzeria.

From an initial field of 70 contestants, the seven Regional Division winners and six additional contestants who pre-qualified by winning other sanctioned events, competed in the International Pizza Challenge? Finals and Zucca Bar and Pizzeria placed fifth among the 13 contestants for the title of the Best Traditional Pizza in the World.

Zucca (Smyrna) is located at 2860 Atlanta Road in the Smyrna Market Village and can be reached by calling 770.803.9990. Zucca (Kennesaw) is located at 745 Chastain Road in Kennesaw and can be reached by calling 678.290.9313. Zucca Bar and Pizzeria is open Monday - Wednesday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 AM, Thursday from 11:00 AM until 2:00 AM, Friday from 11:00 AM until 4:00 AM, Saturday from 11:00 AM until 3:00 AM and Sunday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 AM. For additional information visit the web site at www.zuccapizza.com.

Look for new locations of Zucca Bar and Pizzeria this summer in Woodstock at Madison Pointe at Towne Lake (June) and on the Square in Decatur (July). An additional location is scheduled to open at Lindbergh City Center (September).