French Pizzaiolo Wins World Pizza Cup in Rome with Octopus Recipe
A culinary innovator from the south of France has taken home top honors at the prestigious Pizza World Cup in Rome, captivating judges with a unique recipe featuring octopus. The victory underscores a growing trend of chefs embracing regional ingredients and family traditions in the competitive world of pizza making.
The Pizza World Cup in Rome, organized by the Folliero family – founders of the world’s first pizza museum – is widely considered a premier event for master pizza makers globally. This year’s competition drew over 600 participants, all vying for the coveted title in the Classica category.
A Family Legacy on a Crust
Christian Lopez, a pizzaiolo based in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, secured the win with a recipe rooted in his family’s Mediterranean heritage. “It was my parents who gave me the idea, because we eat a lot of octopus,” Lopez explained. “My father is Sicilian, my mother Spanish. I told myself that we had to stick with this recipe: armorican pizza. This is a recipe from my grandfather, which my mother passed down to me.”
This isn’t Lopez’s first taste of success on the international stage. He previously finished second in the 2024 competition, demonstrating consistent excellence and a dedication to his craft. The culmination of 20 years of work, the win has already sparked a surge in demand at his restaurant. Customers are reportedly queuing up to sample the award-winning pizza.
The Allure of the Rome Competition
While Italy hosts several prominent pizza world cups – including those in Parma and Naples – the Rome competition holds a special significance for professionals. It is particularly prized for its focus on the tradition of pizza making, emphasizing technique and ingredient quality.
“It’s an immeasurable pride!” exclaimed one customer, Jean-Pierre, to France 3 Provence Alpes. “We hope that it will be shared by the entire neighborhood and the city.”
Looking ahead, Lopez plans to step down from defending his title in 2026, instead opting to serve as a juror at the competition. His victory is a testament to the power of family recipes and the enduring appeal of innovative culinary artistry.
