India Pizza Championship 2025 in Mumbai – My Experience as an Italian Pizza Judge
Introduction
At the end of October 2025 I had the honour of joining the jury of the India Pizza Championship at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, one of the most modern and impressive venues in India.
As an Italian pizzaiolo, specialised in Neapolitan pizza and traditional Italian cuisine around the world, being invited as a judge was a powerful recognition of my work and a unique chance to see how India is embracing high‑level pizza.
A world‑class stage in Mumbai
The championship took place on 29–30 October and 1 November 2025 inside the Jio World Convention Centre, in the Bandra Kurla Complex, right in the heart of Mumbai’s business district.
The event ran alongside Bakery Business and HoReCa Business trade shows, turning the halls into a real hub for bakers, chefs, suppliers and food professionals from all over India.
A gateway to Parma 2026
This India Pizza Championship was not “just another competition”: the winner earned the right to represent India at the World Pizza Championship in Parma in April 2026, with travel and accommodation covered.
For me, as an Italian judge, it was exciting to know that the pizzas we were evaluating in Mumbai were directly connected to the global stage of the Campionato Mondiale della Pizza, where hundreds of pizza makers meet every year to compete in categories from classic to Neapolitan, pan pizza and gluten‑free.
My role on the jury
I was invited as Joe Stanchi, an Italian pizza chef known for Neapolitan style and traditional Italian flavours, to bring a European and especially Italian perspective to the judging panel.
Together with the other judges, my task was to evaluate each pizza on dough, baking, balance of toppings, technical execution and overall harmony, always respecting the identity and creativity of each competitor.
Sponsored by 5 Stagioni and Saksham Delhi
This experience was made possible thanks to the support of Le 5 Stagioni and Saksham, a major player in the Indian market for professional pizza flours and equipment.
As an Italian chef, seeing such strong commitment to quality flours and authentic techniques in India confirmed how fast the pizza movement is growing here and how serious many professionals are about training and standards.
The atmosphere of the competition
During the three days of competition the atmosphere at Jio World Convention Centre was a mix of tension, adrenaline and pure passion for pizza.
From early morning until evening, contestants worked non‑stop on dough balls, sauces, toppings and baking, while the audience, media and industry professionals moved between the competition area and the trade show stands.
What I looked for in a winning pizza
Dough and fermentation
- The first thing I looked at as a judge was the dough: maturity, lightness, structure and digestibility.
- Whether the style was more Neapolitan, classic or creative, the base had to be well fermented, easy on the stomach and pleasant to chew.
Baking and consistency
- The second key element was baking: how the pizza opened in the oven, the colour of the cornicione or crust, the balance between crunch and softness.
- In a competition environment, oven management and timing are crucial, and the best contestants showed impressive control under pressure.
Toppings and balance
- Then came toppings: quality of ingredients, logic of the flavour combinations and the capacity to respect both Italian tradition and Indian taste.
- Some competitors chose to stay very close to Italian classics, while others integrated local spices and ingredients in an intelligent and respectful way.
Being an Italian judge in India
As an Italian in Mumbai, judging a national pizza championship, I felt a strong responsibility: to protect the values of our tradition, but also to remain open to innovation and to the local identity of each pizzaiolo.
More than once I found myself smiling behind the judging sheets, recognising in the dough handling and oven work the same passion that drives many colleagues back in Italy.
Looking ahead to Salsomaggiore, Parma 2026
Knowing that the winner of Mumbai will compete at the World Pizza Championship 2026 in Parma made every vote even more meaningful.
I am already looking forward to seeing how the Indian representative will bring their style onto the international stage, side by side with hundreds of pizza makers from all over the world.
Why this experience matters for my work
For me, this championship was not only a judging job but a chance to build bridges between Italy and India through pizza.
Every conversation with the contestants and organisers confirmed how much space there is for training, consulting and collaborations to help Indian professionals refine techniques and develop menus inspired by true Italian tradition.
