Hamilton fryer named UK Pizza chef of the year

Dec 1 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON fryer has been named UK Pizza Chef of the Year.

Antonio Macera, of Divito’s Burnbank, clinched the overall pizza chef of the year award at a prestigious ceremony.

The 54-year-old, known as Tony, was presented with the accolade at a glittering event held at the Lancaster London Hotel last Thursday night.

About 500 people, including representatives of some of the biggest names in the food industry such as Pizza Hut, Prezzo and Domino’s Pizza, attended the Pizza, Pasts and Italian Food Industry Awards (PAPA).

Tony also received the sponsored Dell’ami Kalamata Olives Pizza Chef of the Year.

Tony, who lives in Meikle Earnock Road, said: “I am happy to be UK Pizza Chef of the Year. I am over the moon.

“I was jumping in the air when I heard that I had won.

“I thought I had a good chance of winning the sponsored category but I never believed that I could win the overall UK pizza chef of the year.”

Tony is no stranger to pizza competitions over the past five years.

In October, he scooped the world champion title in the spicy pizza cooking competition held in Italy.

Tony thanked his wife, Terri, for helping him. He said: “It means so much to me to win the UK championships.

“I never thought that I would have a chance to win.

“Every time I go to the World Championships in Italy, I am representing Scotland and Hamilton.

“People have been coming from all over to the shop to try my pizza.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me.”

Tony’s pizza creation of four cheese with Parma ham and olives impressed all eight judges.

He added: “They ask me how I manage to put all the ingredients together.

“I used a blend of feta cheese, Italian Parma ham, and then I used oranges to give it a sweet taste.”

Tony is now aiming to contest the world pizza-making championships next year in Las Vegas, USA.