SPOKANE, Wash. — A former Spokane bakery owner won a popular pizza baking competition in California on Saturday.
After a nationwide search, Spokane chef Ricky Webster claimed an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy (or $25,000) for creating the best pizza and wine combination. He won the grand prize for his ultimate pizza recipe in Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s third annual “Perfect Your Pizza” competition. His original Sicilian-style pizza paired with Coppola’s Pinot Noir proved to be a perfect match.
“The winning pizza showcased attention to detail and balance, along with an understanding of how and why the right wine enhances pizza,” said Dan Richer, a New York Times best-selling cookbook author and competition judge.
Webster competed against three other chefs at Coppola’s winery in Sonoma County, California, on Saturday. As the winner, Webster and a guest will receive five-star accommodations and tours of Rome and Naples, cities renowned for their exceptional pizza-making.
“I’m thrilled that my Sicilian-Style Skillet-Based Caponata Pizza took home the grand prize at this year’s Perfect Your Pizza contest,” said Webster.
