Pittsburgh Chef's Pizza Named U.S. Best In World Competition

PITTSBURGH, PA - A Pittsburgh chef's culinary creation was named the best pizza in America at the recent Pizza World Championships in Parma, Italy. Eric Von Hansen, regional chef for the local Caliente Pizza & Draft House chain, won for the Mee-Maw, a pie named his mother and grandmother.

What's in a Mee-Maw? Start with five-day fermented dough spread into a pan. Top it with olive oil,five-year aged parmesan, market local rapini cooked with peppered bacon, shallots, garlic, onion, crushed plum tomato, porchetta, shaved black truffle pecorino romano, salt, pepper and finally more aged parmesean. Then bake.

Is your mouth watering yet?

“It’s a challenge coming up with new recipes, but my inspiration comes from my hometown –
the city of champions," Von Hansen said in a statement. "There’s nothing more exciting than knowing I can showcase award-winning pizza around the globe made in the heart of
Pittsburgh. "

Caliente will be introducing the pizza at its five locations - Bloomfield, Hampton, Mt. Lebanon, Hampton and Monroeville - over the next few weeks.