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Perfect weather, pizza and planning…those were the comments heard from the more than 47 member American entourage traveling to Salsomaggiore, Italy, this year as part of the U.S. Pizza Team (USPT). Once again the Americans invaded Italy to show off their pizza skills and in the process, learn more about the culture, food and country where pizza originated. This year’s USPT was the largest group yet to attend the annual event in Italy and through the assistance of Perillo Tours, the trip was flawless.
The USPT participated in team and individual acrobatic dough tossing, largest dough stretch, fastest pizza and culinary events. Brynne Humphries from Avalanche Pizza in Ohio scored highest of all the culinary members. Juan Hermisillo just missed third place in individual acrobatic dough tossing by a small two points. The team acrobatics squad placed fourth overall (having only three days to perfect their routine) and have plans to retain the members and recruit additional talent for next year. If you think you have the talent it takes to be part of the 2007 U.S. Pizza Team, consider trying out at the official USPT acrobatic tryouts at PMQ’s Orlando Pizza Show (September 8-10, 2006 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more info, contact Caroline Felker at 662-234-5481 ext. 125 or email caroline@pmq.com).
In addition to the competition, this year’s Italy tour included day tours of the Duomo in Milan, Pisa and the Leaning Tower and tours of the Barilla factory (the largest pasta facility in the world) and a Parmigiano-Reggiano factory in Parma to see and learn how cheese is made in the very area where Parmesan was invented. “This trip was more than I imagined,” said Jeff Fraley, USPT largest dough stretch member. “Everything was perfect with the planning.”
Also traveling with the 2006 USPT were USPT sponsor representatives Joe Ferrara (Marsal&Sons Ovens) and Pam Colletta (Roma Foods). “This was my first trip to Italy and really I enjoyed everyone on the trip,” Ferrara said. “PMQ did a great job of bringing in top competitors from across the U.S. and planning the trip. I really enjoyed the tour of the cheese factory and learned a lot about the process of making Parmesan that you can only understand by actually seeing it happen. Stressa (located about 45 minutes north of Milan) was beautiful and my only regret is that we didn’t have two days to spend there…it was beautiful.”
The 2006 USPT consisted of: Jerry Neumann (The Pizza Machine, Freestyle dough tossing/Team acrobatics), Juan Hermosillo (La Cocina de Isabel, Freestyle dough tossing/Team acrobatics), Jef Fraley (Ingleside Village Pizza, Largest dough stretch), Roger McColly (Dominos Pizza, Largest dough stretch/Fastest pizza maker), Jason Samosky (Samosky’s Homestyle Pizzeria, Pizza Classica), Keith Yonkers (Casa Restaurant Group, Pizza Classica), Gus Nassar (Rome’s Pizza, Pizza Classica, Eric Lippman (EJ’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, Pizza Classica), Michael Amheiser (Pizza Dock, Pizza Classica/Largest dough stretch), Don Schmitt (Bexley Pizza Plus, Pizza Classica), Brian Edler (Domino’s Pizza, Largest dough strech/Fastest pizza maker), Brynne Humphries (Avalanche Pizza, Pizza Clasica), John Gutekanst (Avalanche Pizza, Pizza Classica), Tim Duffy (DeFelice Pizza, Pizza Classica), Chef Bruno (USPT Culinary coach), Chris Green (USPT Acrobatic coach/Team acrobatics), Dino Ciccone (USPT interpreter). 
We would like to send a special thanks to all of the 2006 USPT sponsors for their continued support in promoting the pizza industry and the team. Without them, none of this would be possible. Gold Sponsors: Bellissimo Foods, California Milk Advisory Board, La Nova, Revenetion, Throw Dough. Silver Sponsors: Bag Solutions, Fontanini, KB Pizza, Marsal&Sons Ovens, Paradise Tomato Kitchens, Roma, and PizzaTools.com.
To learn more about how you can become part of the 2007 USPT, call Caroline Felker at 662-234-5481 ext 125 or send her an email to caroline@pmq.com.