‘Pizza Wars’ Coming Soon To West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven is known for having some of the best pizza around, so when a competition pits the locals against each other, it’s a rare “war” where everybody wins. The second West Haven Italian American Civic Association's “Pizza Wars” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 21 at the Cielo Banquet Hall, 85 Chase Lane in West Haven. Public voting ends at 1 p.m.

The cost for entry is a minimum $5 donation with a portion of the money going toward the Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship Awards program. The event is open to the public. Entrants can sample some of the city’s best pizzerias and each person will get a token at admission to use to vote for their favorite. The top three public favorites will be recognized at the event.

“We also have a panel of judges, all culinary based (except the mayor), who will judge West Haven's Best Pie,” Silvana Apicella, chair of Pizza Wars and Ladies Auxiliary Parliamentarian, wrote in a news release. “It is important to know that the tasting is completely blind for this category. The judges do not know whose pizza they are tasting. Pizzerias also do not know their order of presentation until the morning of the event. Top 3 will be recognized in this category as well.

“We are excited to announce ‘The Singing Chef,’ Neil Fuentes and winner of the Food Network's ‘REWRAPPED’ is our Celebrity Judge this year, as well as, New Haven Pizzaiolo Chris Chieppo, The Inventor of the Pizza Doughnut, Jeff Lamberti, the True Pizza Holic, Ron Rogg, Chef and Men's Club Member Rich Goulart, and West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi are part of the judge's panel.”

The nine participating pizzerias are as follows: Mike's Apizza (winner of the People's Choice & WH's Best Pizza last year), the iconic Zuppardi's Apizza, Cappetta's, Michael Angelo's, Lorenzo's, Full Circle, ReBar, Pizza King and Casa Bianca.

“The Ladies Auxiliary has been working hard on putting together a fantastic event for the public,” Apicella said. “We are very thankful to the pizzerias for participating in this event. Without them, there wouldn't be one. We not only hope the public frequents these pizzerias, but we look forward to seeing everyone there.”