On September 23, 2026, Estonia’s National Pizza Trophy 2026 took place in Tallinn as part of the Tallinn Food Fair. The competition brought together pizza makers from across Estonia, giving them the opportunity to compete, demonstrate their professional skills, and celebrate the art and culture of pizza making.
A record number of participants
This year marked an important milestone for the competition, with 14 contestants taking part - the highest number in the event’s three-year history. This reflects both the growing interest among industry professionals and the rapid development of pizza culture in Estonia and across the Baltic region.
At Reaton Food, we have also seen how quickly the pizzeria sector is developing and how increasingly popular this dining concept has become among consumers. That is why we highly value initiatives that develop and highlight pizzaiolo culture, encourage the exchange of knowledge, and help raise professional pizza-making standards.
The importance of competitions like this extends far beyond the final results. They strengthen the professional community, inspire a new generation of pizza makers, and encourage closer cooperation between industry professionals across the Baltics.
Professional skills showcased in two categories
Participants competed in two categories - Classic Pizza Margherita and Pizza on the Peel. The professional jury evaluated each pizza based on its taste, baking quality, crust crispiness, balance of ingredients, and overall impression.
Following a careful evaluation, the winners of Estonia’s National Pizza Trophy 2026 were announced:
1st place - Denys Kosovych, Ciao Ragazzi
2nd place - Mart Põldma, Ciao Bella
3rd place - Matteo Trestini, Pizzeria 450°
Special congratulations go to the winner, Denys Kosovych, who also received the competition’s main prize - an opportunity to attend professional training at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) academy in Naples, Italy.
Thank you to the participants, jury, and partners
We would like to sincerely thank all 14 contestants for their passion, courage, and outstanding professional performance.
Our thanks also go to the professional jury- Artis Žentiņš from Vīnkalnu Picērija and Francesco Gelo from Casa Nostra - as well as Alar Aksalu, the organizers, and everyone who helped make this event possible.
Special thanks to the competition’s partners and suppliers: Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, Molino Spadoni Spa, GranTerre, Menù srl, Brimi, GI.METAL, GS24, Sveba Dahlen, Eesti Peakokkade Ühendus
The pizza journey continues
The next competition will take place in Riga on February 25, 2027, as part of Professional Days.
We look forward to welcoming even more pizza professionals, strengthening the Baltic pizzaiolo community, supporting professional development, and continuing to grow pizza culture throughout the region.
