With just over one month to go before voting officially closes, this year’s Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge is getting hotter than a wood-fired oven, with a close tussle for the top spot between last year’s winner Ferdinando’s (Observatory, Cape Town), 2021 winner and last year’s runner up, Gino’s (of Robertsham, Johannesburg) and Gino’s in Stellenbosch which is nipping at their heels.
Not far behind and closing in fast is popular Potchefstroom eatery, Julia’s Eatalian, Somerset West-based restaurant Corlie’s Italian, Randburg institution Lucios, KwaZulu Natal’s Enzo’s (based in Scottburgh), Mooiuitsig Kombuis which can be found at Groot Brakrivier and Izzeria, the Pretoria establishment that also made it into the Top 10 last year.
Others in the running include Sartori (Kalk Bay), Bella Italia (Vredehoek), Twenty-Two Eatery and Wine Bar (St Francis Bay), Luigi’s Pizzeria (Olivedale), Kerdoni’s (Bloemfontein), Café La Mare (Gqeberha), The Village Bicycle (Claremont), Osteria Rossa (Bedfordview) and Dino’s Trattoria (Lonehill).
Says Porcupine Ridge spokesperson Lynton Kaiser: “We’re seeing a real ding-dong battle going on in the Top 20, with the leaderboard changing weekly. There are clearly some really passionate and loyal customers out there determined to see their favourite pizzeria crowned this year’s winner!
“The best thing about this year’s challenge is the provincial representation of restaurants taking part,” says Kaiser. “We have eateries in almost every province in the country participating and that makes it a truly national competition.”
The Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge offers consumers the chance to vote for their favourite pizza restaurant on the dedicated voting website (www.votepizza.wine). The restaurant with the most votes will be not only be crowned South Africa’s favourite pizzeria but will also receive marketing collateral and wine to the value of R40 000.
Consumers, voting for their favourite venue, can win a weekly prize of Porcupine Ridge wines and an EarthFire pizza accessories, with one lucky voter selected as the grand prize winner at the end of the competition and receiving an EarthFire Tabletop Pizza Oven, pizza for a year valued at R1500 from their favourite pizzeria and five cases of Porcupine Ridge Wines, all valued at R10 000.
The Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge 2023 runs until September 30, with the Top 10 – and ultimate winner – announced in early November. The challenge is open to any restaurant offering pizza on their menu and holding a valid liquor license.
Consumers dining at participating restaurants can scan a QR code that prompts them to the voting platform or they can vote via the website at www.votepizza.wine.
Please keep us posted re standings