Greece and Italy join forces and step TOGETHER onto the Global Pizza Podium
Thessaloniki is pioneering once again. Beyond being a global culinary destination, it officially enters the center stage of international pizza production!
At TIF-HELEXPO, the 1st Hellenic National Pizza Championship is born, an event that will highlight the official Greek National Team set to participate in the 2027 World Championship in Parma. This event goes far beyond a simple athletic-culinary competition; it creates a gastronomic bridge between Italy and Greece, placing it within the context of a profound evolution of the Greek food and beverage sector worldwide.
On the Road to the World Stage
(Hellenic National Pizza Championship – On the Road to the World Stage)
The Hellenic National Pizza Championship is an institution that connects Greek pizza with the international competitive scene. For the first time, Greece will not participate in international tournaments with individual initiatives, but with an elite National Pizza Team, selected according to strict standards of technique, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Another strategic goal of the event is to promote the authenticity of Greek products (flour, vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses, etc.), as well as to highlight large-scale units and small-to-medium local producers cultivating varieties with special and unique flavors.
What the Event Includes
The competition acts as a true incubator of excellence. Winners secure their participation in the selection process for the National Team and gain access to an advanced training program.
At the same time, the program features the Master Tables – an evolution of the traditional Masterclass, designed as an interactive exchange around the workbench:
- Italian pizza and local small-scale Greek producers – Slow Food
- Iakovos Fotiadis and Angelo Genovese – Master Instructors, Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli
- Artisan pizza & wine pairing and Contemporary/Gourmet pizza – Luca Ardizzone
- Artisan focaccia & beer pairing – Angelo Genovese
- Neapolitan pizza (STG/TSG) – Francesco Granata, Napulè
Competition Categories
- Category A – Classic / Traditional Pizza: No diameter restrictions. Evaluated on dough structure, baking, crumb structure (alveolation), and ingredient balance.
- Category B – Neapolitan (STG/TSG) / Contemporary Pizza: Must comply with STG specifications or use high-hydration techniques for a pronounced cornicione (puffed crust).
- Category C – Pan Pizza (Teglia) / Paddle Pizza (Pala): Emphasis on crispiness, hydration level, and texture/mouthfeel during chewing.
- Special Category – Gourmet Pizza: Competing pizzaioli in collaboration with a distinguished chef, applying high gastronomy techniques (fine dining, sous-vide, foams) for the ultimate balance of acidity, flavor richness, and aesthetic presentation.
The final Greek National Team will consist of the Captain/Coach, the Expert in Classic/Neapolitan Pizza (1st or 2nd place), and the Expert in Teglia/Pala Pizza.
Event Information & Schedule
The Hellenic National Pizza Championship is included in the official program of the FOOD & DRINKS by Detrop 2026 – TIF HELEXPO exhibition.
Program – Detrop Thessaloniki:
- Friday, November 13 (11:00 – 16:00): Competitor registrations and product presentations. (Exhibition Operating Hours: 11:00 – 20:00)
- Saturday, November 14 (12:00 – 16:00): Preparation, dough and biga (pre-ferment) making by competitors. (Exhibition Operating Hours: 10:00 – 20:00)
- Sunday, November 15 (12:00 – 16:00): Start of the baking competitions. (Exhibition Operating Hours: 10:00 – 18:00)
Venue: Outdoor Area B7, in front of Pavilion 16, Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre
Organization: ITA OMNI PROJECT
Strategic Partner: GruppoFL (Parthena Pastrafidou, Tel.: +30 6940 898814)
Contact for Participation: +30 6947 594000 (Luigi Ardizzone)
Email / Registrations: flppastrafidou@gmail.com
