From the Edmonton Sun
Dave Houseman’s pizza might not be the best in the world, but it’s awfully close.
The local businessman is returning to Edmonton Friday after winning sixth place in the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas.
Around 120 pizza makers from around the globe battled it out for the top prize of $10,000, along with bragging rights.
“It was very good,” said Houseman, who owns Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria, which has locations downtown and on the south side of the city.
“It was my first time competing in anything like this, so it was a big learning experience. A lot of people I was competing against have done this for years.”
He also beat out two other Canadians from Ontario to finish as the top Canuck competitor.
On Tuesday, the pizza makers whipped up pies to qualify for the semifinals.
Then on Thursday, the handful who passed the first test went on to duke it out for top spot.
The contestants had half an hour to make two pizzas: one for the judges and another for the audience.
They were only allowed two toppings. Houseman chose mushrooms and sausage to add flavour to his crust.
“A lot of what they’re grading you on is your dough and your sauce,” he explained before the contest.