Five Points Pizza Competing in World Pizza Championship in Italy

If you have a spare moment during this day after the holiday memorializing and commemorating the unofficial first day of summer and grilling season, perhaps you could send some good thoughts toward the east. That's because our friends at East Nashville's

are spending their holiday competing in the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy. They earned the right to compete for the prize by participating in the Slice of Americana Pizza Culinary Competition on Fourth of July in Oxford, Miss., competing against numerous pizza makers from all over the United States.

The World Pizza Championship attracts hundreds of pizzaiolos from more than 30 countries every year. Competitors take part in a range of events, including classic pizza, pizza-in-the-pan, pizza-on-the-peel, Neapolitan, gluten-free, pizza-for-two (made by two people), individual freestyle acrobatics, largest dough stretch and fastest pie maker. This year’s U.S. Pizza Team consists of four acrobatic competitors and 16 culinary competitors. Five Points Pizza won't be showing off their acrobatic skills. Rather, they will be among the culinary competitors.

So while you're rooting for the team today, they'll be dividing into groups to source ingredients at the local markets, make their dough and sauce and make sure that their presentations is perfect. Chris Mallon, kitchen manager of Five Points Pizza, will be presenting the final pie to the team of judges.

“We are so excited for the opportunity to compete in the World Pizza Championship in Italy this year.” said Tara Tieman, co-owner of Five Points Pizza. “We are headed to Italy with four of our veteran pizza makers, and everyone is really honored and excited to be a part of the competition. The rest of our staff has agreed to work doubles all week, and two former employees, including our former kitchen manager, offered to fly in from Denver to cover shifts while we are gone. We are really lucky to have this opportunity and such a dedicated pizza family.”

So drop by Five Points soon to hear how the team placed and sample some of their championship pies.

Five Points Pizza

1012 Woodland St.

615- 915-4174

fivepointspizza.com