Monday, August 8th

Pyzano's Ties for 1st at Icon Estates Pizza Bataglia

In Napa Valley four pizza makers were chosen to compete in a Pizza Battle. Set at Franciscan estates winery, each team were given different mystery baskets with three secret ingredients. The teams were then given two different wines that had to be paired with the secret ingredient. The teams were only allowed ten minutes to create two pizza recipes. All chefs lead separate groups of sommelier's from around the world. Each team had to make fifteen pizzas in thirty five minutes and present them to the judges.

Tony Gemignani & Courtney Townsend representing Pyzano's Donna Scala representing Bistro Don Giovanni Christophe Hille representing A16, Morgan Robinson representing Icon Estates.

Tony Gemignani of Pyzano's Pizzeria flew in Chef Courtney Townsend from Atlanta. The Dynamic Duo have been working side by side at events for over two years. Tony knew the competition was going to be tough when competing against such acclaimed pizza makers.

Tony - " Courtney was remarkable!!" A true chef with such passion, poise, and charm. Seeing her work a kitchen is like seeing Sinatra work a crowd. She made it easy.
We had a blast!!

Pyzano's mystery basket: Lemon infused olive oil, duck confit, marscapone

Pizzas

Peaches & Cream
Marscapone
Italian sheep cheese
Proscuitto
Peaches and nectarines
Lemon oil
Orange/balsamic vineger
Thyme
France on top of Italy
Duck Confit
White asparagus
Chanterelle mushrooms
Tarragon and parsley
Lemon oil
Rustic tomato sauce/w Ruffino Chianti

Donna Scala from Bistro Don Giovanni tied with Tony and Courtney for first place with a Fig, Caramelized Onion, and Cheese pizza. The two teams were honored to be competing against each other.

Tony Gemignani

* 6- Time World Pizza Throwing Champion, Cookbook Author, Consultant, Cooking Instructor

* Co Owner Pyzano's Pizzeria Castro Valley California - Ranked top 10 pizza destinations by the Travel Channel

* Co Author of Pizza released nationwide Sept 2005

* President/Co Founder World Pizza Champions Inc / worldpizzachampions.com

* Pizza Instructor - Draegers, Andronicos, Home Chef, Sur La Table, Ramekins & several cooking schools across the nation

Chef Courtney Townsend

* Spelman College-BA,

* Clark-Atlanta Univ-MBA,

* Culinary/Le Cordon Bleu, Paris France

* Private Business - Oakland -Private Chef Service; Atlanta - Eastwestchefs

* Upcoming website -courtney&co.com

* Chef Instructor - Laney College

* Special Events Cordinator - Alameda County Fair

* San Francisco Bay Wine Competition Awards Dinner and Wine Garden Coordinator for two years

* Alameda County Fair- Cooking Academy Coordinator for two years

For more info on Pizza Bataglia contact Tony Gemignani at tony@worldpizzachampions.com or 510- 427-6979

Michael Shepherd on 08.08.05 @ 10:00 PM EST

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