Tasting and Judging for Vancouver Foodster’s Pizza Challenge

I was selected by Vancouver Foodster as a media judge of his pizza challenge! It was indeed quite a challenge for me to taste 12 different pizzas at 12 different restaurants all over the Lower Mainland – Vancouver, North Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Port Moody and Fort Langley, within only 3 weeks. But it was such a fun adventure. Pizza, considered as a simple comfort food by many, has become one of Vancouver’s gourmet food trends. The level of craftsmanship and creativity among the talented pizzaiolos is just remarkable! Besides honouring the traditions of the craft,  innovative twists and quality ingredients are the keys to the competition as well. I had to score each pizza based on their taste, presentation and originality.

I produced a little video on this journey. If you enjoy it, please LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel!

Here are the 12 pizzas I tasted:

Bay Moorings Restaurant

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 13, 2017 at 10:16pm PDT

Bay Moorings Restaurant
6330 Bay Street, Horseshoe Bay
Tel: (604) 921-8184
Web: http://baymooringsrestaurant.com/
Instagram: @bay_moorings

Caffe Mangia Pizzeria

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 17, 2017 at 8:34am PDT

Caffe Mangia Pizzeria
2211 Manitoba Street, Vancouver
Tel: 778-379-4000
Web: http://www.caffemangia.com/
Twitter @caffe_mangia
Instagram:@caffemangia

Pizzeria SpaccaNapoli

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 24, 2017 at 4:31pm PDT

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
2801 St Johns Street, Port Moody
Tel: (604) 939-5800
Web: https://pizzeriaspaccanapoli.com/
Twitter @Spacca_NapoliPM
Instagram: @pizzeriaspacca

Hearthstone Brewery Tap & Forno

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 14, 2017 at 9:12pm PDT

Hearthstone Brewery Tap & Forno
1015 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
Tel: (604) 984-1842
Web: http://www.hearthstonebrewery.ca/
Twitter: @hearthstonebeer
Instagram: @hearthstonebrewing

Olympia Pizza

“The Greek”
Price: S- $15.25  M- $19.5  L- $22.25
Created by: George and Peter Kerasiotis
Ingredients: Marinara sauce, Edam cheese, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 27, 2017 at 9:16am PDT

Olympia Pizza
3205 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 732-5334
Web: http://olympiapizzakits.com/
Instagram: @olympiapizzakits

Mangia e Scappa Italian Foods

“Patate E Pipi”
Price: $20
Created by: Chef Luca Carbone, 15-Year Old Pizzaiolo, at Mangia e Scappa
Description/Ingredients: Tomato-Infused Wheat and Tipo 00 Crust, A Foundation of Creamy Sauce Topped with Thinly Shaved Potatoes, Fire-Roasted Red Peppers, Fontina, Garlic Confit, Bonetti’s Pancetta and Mangia e Scappa’s Handmade Fresh Cheese using owner Giulia Carbone’s Family Recipe. This Pizza is Dedicated to Nonna After her Favourite Dish from Calabria, Italy.

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 12, 2017 at 4:01pm PDT

Mangia e Scappa Italian Foods
23238 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley
Phone: 604.888.4104
Web: www.mangiaescappa.com
Twitter: @mangiaescappaifInstagram: @mangiaescappaif

Ragazzi Pizza

“Carbonara”
Price: 10? $12.00 and  $17? $23.00
Created by: Chef Paul Teixeira
Description: with smoked pancetta, bocconcini, garlic, pepper, egg, parsley.

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 9, 2017 at 9:01pm PST

Ragazzi Pizza
2996 E. 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
Tel: 604-433-2235
Web: http://www.ragazzipizza.com/
Twitter:   @RagazziPizza
Instagram: @ragazzipizza

Grain Tasting Bar

“The Luca Brasi”
Price: $12
Created by: Executive Chef Jeff Szombaty & Jo Ong
Description: house smoked mozzarella, San Marzano tomato, Italian fennel sausage, roasted onion, broccoli rabe, aged balsamico

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 23, 2017 at 8:56am PDT

Grain Tasting Bar
655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tel:   604-639-4768
Web:  www.grainvbc.com
Twitter:    @Grain_Bar
Instagram:  @grain_bar

Novo Pizzeria

“Chorizo Salami & Thyme Chili Honey”
Price: $20
Created by: Novo Pizza team
Description: fresh mozzarella, basil, smoked provolone, ricotta di bufala

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 6, 2017 at 8:24pm PST

Novo Pizzeria
2118 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 736-2220
Web:  http://www.novopizzeria.com/
Twitter:   @NOVOPizzeria
Instagram: @novopizzeriayvr

Alberello Pizzeria

“Primavera”

Primavera translates springtime. It’s our take on a spring inspired pizza. A long awaited spring!
Price: $17
Created by: Sean & Azin Etesami
Ingredients: olive tapenade, caramelized fennel, sautéed onion, rosemary roasted potatoes, toasted almonds, & aged mozzarella topped with feta, fennel fronds & pomegranate.

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 8, 2017 at 8:31am PST

Alberello Pizzeria
115 W 15th Street, North Vancouver
Tel: 604-770-4484
Web: http://www.alberellopizzeria.com/
Twitter @Alberellopizza

Pizza Garden

“Snow White”
Price:  14” $16.75, 18” $22.50, Slice $2.50
Created by: Pizza Chef Özkan Kocao?lu
Description: Alfredo Sauce, Mozzarella, Fior di Latte, Grana Padano, Spinach, Caramelized Onions, Ricotta Cheese.

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 26, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT

Pizza Garden
4464 Beresford Street, Burnaby
Tel: (604) 566-2026
Web: http://www.pizzagarden.ca
Twitter: @PizzaGardenCa
Instagram: @pizzagarden.ca

Megabite Pizza

“Philly Steak”
Price: $16 for whole pizza pie, Slice is available for $2
Created by: Pizza Chef: Ahmet Bulut
Description: Alfredo Sauce, Mozzarella, Italian Cheese Blend, Mushroom, Steak, Green Pepper, Caramelized Onions.

A post shared by PickyDiner (@pickydiner) on Mar 20, 2017 at 8:36pm PDT

Megabite Pizza
1005 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tel:(604) 687-0002
Web:http://www.megabitepizza.com/
Twitter: @megabitecanada
Instagram: @megabitepizza

And the winners are…

Please watch my YouTube video to find out!!! Please don’t forget to  LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoy the post and the video!