Dr. Derek Sanchez was invited to join the WPC in 2019. With a passion for excellence in pizza making and research, Derek has earned a position and reputation as one of the best pizza makers in the world.

His accomplishments include 3 World championships, Runner-up pizza maker of the year in 2019, and Multiple years of Regional Championships at the Las Vegas pizza expo in multiple pizza baking categories. Derek is possibly one of only two pizza makers in the world to have won 3 championships in 3 separate categories of pizza baking. Using his style, scientific approach, and relentless competitive drive, Derek dominated pizza competitions from 2016 to 2021. His influence on competitive pizza baking changed the culture of pizza competitions. Under his guidance, pizza expertise, coaching, and expert dough science, there have been 12 World Championship wins in competitive pizza baking, including two pizza makers of the year.

Derek has a passion for helping others and teaching. Derek is also a Dr. of Physical Therapy with a PhD in research and evidence-based medicine. He has been in clinical practice for 20 years. In 2020, his clinic was awarded the top 10 best practices in the United States. Dr. Derek’s prestigious background includes degrees in biology, education, physics/chemistry, research, biomechanics, being a head football coach in high school, a college assistant football coach, a high school educator, and a university professor. In addition, he has been selected for multiple medical, coaching, and teaching boards and has received numerous leadership awards in medicine, coaching, and education. He continues to work in his medical practice and runs his pizzeria with the help of his childhood friend, Joey Hernandez, who has also won multiple awards in pizza baking. Dr. Derek applies his passion for research to bake some of the world’s best pizza.

Derek will tell you his biggest achievement in his life was giving it to Jesus and being blessed as a husband to his beautiful wife, who he has been with for 30 years, a daddy to his 14-year-old football-playing son, and his 13-year-old ballerina daughter.

Awards in Pizza:

-2016 Champion Caputo Cup - Traditional

-2019 Champion Pizza Expo Las Vegas - Roman Pizza

-2019 Pizza Maker of the Year - Runner up.

-2019 Champion Caputo Cup - Gluten Free

-2016-2022 Multiple regional Championships/Team Championships and top 5 finishes.

-2021 Argentina iDFY Finalist

-2024 Best Pizza in Texas - Texas Bucket List.

-Winner of almost every local award for pizza, too many to list.

-2019-WPC inductee.

-2x Guinness World Record holder helping teams make the longest pizza in 2017 and the biggest pizza party in 2023.

-Coach/Teacher to 12 world champions in pizza baking, including 2 pizza makers of the year in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Naples, Italy.