When the International Pizza Challenge rolled into Las Vegas for its three‑day showdown, the spotlight fell on a modest husband‑and‑wife bakery from Ontario, Canada. Kevin Moreira of Boa Bakery clinched the overall cheese slice title with a score of 45.42, beating 730 competitors by a razor‑thin margin of one‑hundredth of a point.
Why the cheese slice division matters
The cheese slice division limits contestants to dough, traditional red tomato sauce, cheese (or a blend), and spices. With only a 30‑minute window to assemble, bake, and present a pizza, judges evaluate three blind‑tasted slices. No extra toppings, cheeses, or finishing touches are allowed, meaning any flaw in the dough, sauce, or oven temperature is exposed.
Simple ingredients, big impact
Moreira’s victory underscores a broader shift in American food preferences. The Specialty Food Association reports that the share of consumers who define healthy food by a limited ingredient list rose from 9 % in 2022 to 16 % in 2026, while those emphasizing minimal processing grew from 20 % to 26 % over the same period. The competition’s stripped‑down format mirrors this trend toward ingredient transparency and simplicity.
Close competition
Tony Scardino of Professor Pizza in Chicago finished a hair’s breadth behind Moreira, scoring 45.41. Scardino, who trained under 13‑time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, represented the deep‑dish capital’s foray into the minimalist style. Third place went to Gennaro Buontempo of Frank’s Pizza & Pasta in Baltimore with a score of 44.34.
From local bakeries to national attention
The cheese slice division debuted in 2024, with Andy Huynh of Cowabunga+ (Hamilton, Ontario) taking the inaugural title. In 2025, Chris Ostapenko of Slice on Broadway (Pittsburgh) claimed the crown. Each year, a different small operation has risen to the top, proving that when the ingredient list is stripped to its essentials, skill and consistency become the decisive factors.
What this means for food lovers
National Cheese Pizza Day on September 5 offers a perfect excuse for home cooks to test their own plain‑pie skills. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a weekend hobbyist, the competition shows that excellence can be achieved with just dough, sauce, cheese, and a dash of herbs.
For more recipes and tips on mastering the classic cheese slice, visit Hungry Cooks Kitchen, where author Mandy shares her favorite everyday meals.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
