From PMQ Pizza Magazine

LAS VEGAS — Local chefs Massimo Mannino and Salvatore Passalacqua recently participated in PMQ Pizza Magazine’s 2016 Western Culinary Trials Classico Pizza Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mannino placed third; this was his first time competing. The event was held Oct. 8-11 and was part of the International Baking Industry Exhibition’s Baking Expo. This year, more than 23,000 baking professionals filled the Expo Hall at the event, which is the largest, most comprehensive event in the U.S. for the grain-based food industry.

IBIE introduced pizza to the Baking Expo in 2013, thanks to a partnership with PMQ Pizza Magazine, the business trade publication for the pizza restaurant industry.

Mannino, Passalacqua and 19 other pizzaiolos from across the country vied for the gold medal and a chance to win a trip to Italy with the Groupon U.S. Pizza Team to compete in the World Pizza Championship.

Massimo Mannino and Salvatore Passalacqua are co-owners/co-executive chefs of Nino’s in Greenville, N.C., Marabella Italian Restaurant in Washington, N.C., and Marabella Old World Pizza in Greenville and Farmville, N.C. In 2009, Mannino and Passalacqua began sharing more than 75 years of Italian family tradition that has been acquired over three generations, and they continue to make all their food fresh daily from centuries-old authentic Italian and New York-style recipes.