Hamilton pizza chef wins world championship

Oct 20 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON pizza chef Antonio Macera has been crowned world champion in spicy pizza cookery.

After years of hard work, the 54-year-old Meikle Earnock man has beaten off stiff competition from around the globe to win a top title. Antonio was competing in the Campionato del Mondo di Pizza Piccante 2011 – the world championships for spicy pizzas – in Scalea, a town in the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Antonio, who works at Di Vito’s in Burnbank’s Glasgow Road, said this week: “It was third time lucky this year. We had to make a spicy pizza using local products from the region.

“I came third and second in two other contests earlier on so to win this trophy is a fantastic feeling.

“I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been taking part in these competitions for three or four years but I never expected to win.

“The guy who came second in my category is sort of a pizza master. He travels all over the world teaching others his techniques. I never thought I would beat him.”

He continued: “Now that I have realised my dream of coming first, my wife hopes that that is me finished but I have the final of the Pizza Chef of the Year contest in London next month.

“I was also invited to take part in a contest in Milan next week but I don’t have enough time to go, even though I would like to.”

Antonio was supported at the competition by a group of friends and relatives, including son Sean (13), and his very own piper to provide accompanying music.

“I’m glad they were all there to support me,” he said.

“I’m also glad that Fabrizio, who owns the chip shop where I work, has been so supportive as I’ve gone on all my travels.”