NEW: Huntsville-area pizzeria wins international pizza competition for the 2nd year in a row

Joe Carlucci (owner of Valentina's Pizzeria) with award — This is big news, Huntsville. (Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar)

Huntsville pizza fans, you have the world’s best pizza in your back yard.

Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar just won the International Pizza Expo for the second year in a row. Read on to learn about the unique pizza that won + news about the restaurant’s exciting new location.

1st place out of 90 competitors

Joe Carlucci making lobster pizza — Can you believe that the best pizza in the world is in the Huntsville area? (Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar)

The International Pizza Expo has served as an industry-leading event for 39 years. This year, it took place in Las Vegas and attracted over 7,000 attendees.

The star of the expo was the non-traditional pizza category, comprising 90 top competitors from around the world. Joe Carlucci, owner and founder of Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar, competed in this event and won by an impressive margin.

1st place: 30.05 points | Joe Carlucci | Madison, AL | Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar
2nd place: 28.42 points | Michael Vakneen | Las Vegas, NV | Pop Up Pizza
3rd place: 28.11 points | Sarah Boyer | Pittsburgh, PA | Iron Born Pizza

Best Non-Traditional Pizza in the World + Pizza Maker of the Year

Lobster pizza — Carlucci’s lobster pizza is next level. (Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar)

Upon winning 1st place, Carlucci’s pie gained the title of “Best Non-Traditional Pizza in the World.” This unique pizza featured a robust combination of lobster, mango and crab. Carlucci also was awarded “Pizza Maker of the Year.”

Last year, Carlucci took home the award for “Best Traditional Pizza in the world.” He is the only International Pizza Expo competitor to win two years in a row.

These awards now make him a six-time World Champion and two-time Guinness World Record Holder.

BONUS: a new Valentina’s location coming soon

Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar is currently located at 25951 Huntsville Brownsferry Rd Unit B Madison, AL 35756.

If you’ve been to this location, you’ll know that it gets crowded pretty quickly. But we have good news for you—Valentina’s Pizzeria + Wine Bar is in the process of building a new 4,000-square-foot-space with many new features. It is set to open August 2023.

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