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The Cuban pizza maker Miguel Sánchez, residing in Argentina, was crowned champion in the fugazzeta category during the inaugural edition of the Panam Pizza Cup, an event held on March 2 and 3 in Brazil, which brought together experts from various countries across the continent.
The championship, organized by Panam Cup, was established with the goal of highlighting the most influential pizza styles in America. Over two days, participants competed by showcasing their technique, creativity, and mastery in creating recipes representative of their culinary traditions, reported the specialized portal BAIRESGOURMET.
The competition included three main categories: Argentine style pizza fugazzeta, Brazilian calabresa pizza, and American style New York pizza. The fugazzeta is one of the most emblematic varieties of the pizza tradition in Buenos Aires, the city where Mima Pizzería, Miguel Sánchez's business, is located.
Sánchez won over the judges of the Panam Pizza Cup thanks to a preparation that combined precision, technique, style, and a personal interpretation of the recipe, according to the digital site. The second place went to Rodrigo Beretta, who also stood out in the NY-style American pizza category, and the third place to Roberto Martin, as noted on the official event website.
In the American pizza category, first place went to Luiz Núñez, followed by Luis Saravia, while Rodrigo Beretta took third place.
In the Brazilian calabresa pizza category, the first, second, and third places went to Joao Gonçalves, Juan Retamal, and Caio Mainenteù. Miguel Vásquez, a pizzaiolo from Porto Alegre, was also acknowledged during the championship for his performance and competitive spirit.
The competition was evaluated by a jury that included, among others, specialists Gino Contin and Diego Dávila, who highlighted the high technical level demonstrated throughout the events.
The jury member Angello Bertini stated that the competition allowed for the evaluation of "talent, technique, fermentation, cooking, and creativity in each presentation," and emphasized that it was not just about competing, but also about representing the history and culinary traditions of the continent.
The Panam Pizza Cup is designed as a biennial event aimed at strengthening the identity of Pan-American pizza and showcasing the various regional styles internationally. The organization has confirmed that future editions of the championship will be held in Argentina and the United States.
Sánchez's victory is a continuation of other international triumphs of the Cuban-Argentine, consolidating the presence of the porteño style within the international pizza scene and showcasing the work of the pizza masters from this South American country in the continent's gastronomic circuit.
Among the previous awards of the owner of Mima Pizzería, there is the second place in the World Pizza Championship held in Buenos Aires in 2024, where more than 170 chefs from various countries participated.
Talents like yours are part of the significant Cuban diaspora that, due to the terrible conditions in the country, have had to emigrate and rebuild their lives in other parts of the world.
Originating from Havana, the Cuban pizza maker shared in an interview in 2022 that he arrived in Argentina in 2005 and named his business Mima Pizzeria after his grandmother, using the traditional term of endearment for grandmothers on the island.
"Let the world know that we Cubans are capable of going out and doing anything," he said. He also clarified that where he competes, he represents the Cubans, not the government of his country. In his work and competition uniform, he often has the inscription "Homeland and Life," he stated.
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