The World Pizza Summit 2024 took place on November 26th-27th in London. It was held as part of the European Pizza Show, the leading European event in its sector, organized by Bellavita in collaboration with Cibus and TuttoFood.
The two-day event demonstrated that the world of pizza is in continuous evolution and transformation. Today, pizza is one of the “global foods,” one of the most consumed dishes worldwide, if not the most consumed, with new openings happening every day across all continents and cultures.
The privileged observation point of 50 Top Pizza, through the World Pizza Summit forum, allowed for a deep analysis of the entire movement. If quality pizza has expanded across all latitudes and longitudes, it is certainly due to the many artisans who are passionate about quality, and above all, thanks to the rise of the Artisanal Pizza Chains. This is a relatively new phenomenon that has seen several pizzerias enjoy public success, and replicate their format and export it.
Until a few years ago, the replicability of models was the prerogative of large North American chains, which ensured standards and reliability. The way to expand was singular, passing through the industrialization of the final product. The product was served according to a uniform model in identical locations with often unqualified staff.
However, in recent years, we have seen the expansion of those who, despite significant numbers, want to maintain their craftsmanship. This movement emphasizes the value of the craft that can generate income and attract significant investment funds, with modern principles that place great importance on training and the quality of raw materials used.
We could summarize the success of this phenomenon with a single concept: “the centrality of human value.” It is a model of exchange and debate, often even between different, yet similar, realities. The needs of a brand with 10 locations are clearly different from those of a brand with more than 50 locations. These are nuances, however, because the main issues are common to all.
“Numbers are always a good way to analyze what is happening,” the three curators of 50 Top Pizza, Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere stated. “The artisanal chains featured in this year’s guide, meaning those that have passed the quality standards of our inspectors, are 81, with just under 2,000 locations, employing around 30,000 direct employees, and generating an annual revenue of about 3 billion dollars. It’s a huge movement, which has become a fundamental part of the export of Made in Italy in the food sector.”
“The London European Pizza Show, organized by the Bellavita Expo in collaboration with Cibus Parma and TuttoFood Milano, has surpassed the even the most ambitious expectations: 9,783 entry tickets in two days, with approximately 50% of the visitors from outside of the United Kingdom. We are the information hub for the entire pizza industry. We are proud to have hosted 277 international Food & Beverage brands and to have hosted the World Pizza Summit with our friends from 50 Top Pizza”, declared Aldo Mazzocco, the CEO of the Bellavita Expo.
“For us it was a great pleasure to participate as official partners at two important events in the pizza sector and under the Made in Italy brand: the World Pizza Summit and the European Pizza Show, that reunited top national and international players in the sector,” declared Flavio Geretto, Chief Commercial Officer of the Villa Sandi – La Gioiosa group. “We Prosecco producers, another top quality Italian product, believe that this is a winning combination.”
The World Pizza Summit was organized in collaboration with the European Pizza Show.
Official Partner La Gioiosa.
* In the cover photo: Barbara Guerra, Francesca Marotta, Roberta Esposito, Luciano Pignataro, Margarita A. Forés, Camila Prado , Albert Sapere during the World Pizza Summit 2024
