National Pizza Awards 2025: East London Finalists Battle for Pizza Glory

Key Points

• Sixteen finalists have been announced for the National Pizza Awards 2025, showcasing the UK’s best pizzerias.
• Nine of the finalists are based in London, including multiple East London establishments.
• The finalists will compete live on November 4, 2025, at Big Penny Social, Walthamstow.
• Competitions include signature pizza and technical challenges judged by an expert panel.
• Notable East London finalists include Yard Sale, Bing Bong Pizza, Little Earthquakes, ACE Pizza, and the new Super Club Roma by Franco Manca at Westfield Stratford.
• Signature pizzas range from deep dish and Chicago thin crust, to Korean-inspired and innovative flavour combinations.
• The event is hosted by Dine Out magazine and judged on criteria including base preparation, flavour, cooking, presentation, and ingredient quality.
• Major chains such as Franco Manca, Zizzi, and Pizza Pilgrims also feature alongside independent pizzerias from across the UK.
• Winners will be announced on the evening of the event after live cook-offs.

What is the National Pizza Awards 2025 and when is it happening?

As reported by Emma Doran in the Romford Recorder, the National Pizza Awards 2025 is an annual culinary event hosted by Dine Out magazine dedicated to finding Britain’s finest pizza makers. This year, the event will take place on November 4 at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, London. Sixteen finalists selected from pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, and quick-service outlets across the UK will compete in a series of challenges. The competition comprises a signature round to crown the Pizza of the Year and a technical challenge to find the Pizza Chef of the Year. The expert judging panel will deliberate after live cook-offs to identify the winners.

Which East London pizzerias made it to the final?

According to Time Out London’s coverage by Natasha Dixon, of the 16 shortlisted finalists, nine are London-based, many from East London. This includes:

• Yard Sale, known for their ‘Bright Young Thing’ pizza topped with caramelised red onion chutney, burrata, and lemon marmalade.
• Bing Bong Pizza in Hackney with their signature ‘With A Little H(ELP) From My Friends’ featuring chilli and fennel sausage, pickled peppers and kale.
• Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern famous for their deep dish pies.
• ACE Pizza offering a New York/Neapolitan hybrid slice.
• Super Club Roma, a new opening from Franco Manca located at Westfield Stratford, also made the cut.

Other London finalists include Base Face Pizza with their Korean-inspired ‘Seoul Mate’, Zia Lucia, and Mamma Dough.

How are the pizzas judged at the National Pizza Awards?

The judging criteria, detailed by Dine Out Magazine, includes several key aspects: the preparation of the pizza base, the flavour profile, how well the pizza is cooked, its aesthetic and presentation, texture quality, consistency, and choice and use of ingredients. Competitors will be assessed on both their signature pizza and a technical pizza prepared from ingredients supplied on the day by the event sponsors. The competition aims to represent pizzas across traditional, non-traditional, Neapolitan, pan, and cheese slice styles.

What is unique about the finalist pizzas this year?

As noted by Natasha Dixon of Time Out, the finalist pizzas showcase a wide variety of styles and innovative flavour profiles. The Korean-inspired ‘Seoul Mate’ by Base Face Pizza features a rare gochujang cream sauce and kimchi, reflecting global fusion trends. Yard Sale’s complex ‘Bright Young Thing’ combines sweet, savoury, and seafood tastes, while Bing Bong Pizza’s pizza embraces bold spicy and piquant elements.

Little Earthquakes is distinguished for their substantial American-style deep dish, and ACE Pizza’s offering stands out with a New York and Neapolitan hybrid approach. This diversity highlights the evolving pizza scene in East London, blending tradition with creativity.

Which other major pizzerias are finalists in the competition?

Alongside East London finalists, the competition features renowned national chains such as Franco Manca, Zizzi, and Pizza Pilgrims. Additionally, independents from Brighton, Glasgow, and Stockport have made the list, underlining the national reach of the awards. The event proudly brings together a broad spectrum of the UK’s top pizza makers, from heritage Neapolitan-style to contemporary innovative producer.

How will the event unfold and who decides the winners?

Emma Doran emphasizes from her Romford Recorder report that November 4 will include a live cook-off at Big Penny Social, where finalists will present their signature pizzas. The technical challenge is also a key element, testing the competitors’ skill, creativity, and consistency under pressure.

An expert panel of judges comprising culinary professionals and pizza connoisseurs will score the pizzas based on the outlined criteria. The winners for Pizza of the Year and Pizza Chef of the Year will be announced in the evening, culminating the day-long celebration of pizza craftsmanship.

Why is the National Pizza Awards significant for East London?

This prestigious event shines a spotlight on East London’s vibrant and diverse pizza scene, where traditional flavours meet innovative culinary experiments. The inclusion of many East London venues among the finalists reflects the area’s reputation as a hub for quality and creativity in food.

As reported by Natasha Dixon, the presence of both longstanding favourites and exciting new entrants like Super Club Roma from Westfield Stratford exemplifies East London’s growing influence in the national pizza industry, attracting attention from food lovers and critics alike.

How can the public follow or get involved?

Dine Out Magazine highlights that the National Pizza Awards is open to chefs from across various segments of the hospitality industry and encourages public interest. The event promises to be a must-watch for pizza enthusiasts, with updates available through official channels including the National Pizza Awards website and social media.

For those interested in sponsorship or involvement, contact details are available through the event organisers, as noted by Emma Doran.