PMQ will be hosting a series of U.S. Pizza Team trials at the Orlando Pizza Show (OrlandoPizzaShow.com) on September 11 to 13. The three categories are Largest Dough Stretch, Fastest Pizza Maker and Freestyle Acrobatics. The first place winner of each category wins $500 and a spot on the U.S. Pizza Team. The scores for all three events are combined; the person with the highest score in all categories will win a trip to Europe to compete in the 2009 International Pizza Championship with the team.

somewhere between the brick ovens of Italy and the delivery cars of America something went horribly wrong. The traditional pizza, made with just bread, cheese and tomatoes, is now tricked out with inflated crusts, four-cheese toppings, and a surplus of pepperoni, all of which contribute to its quadrupled caloric count.

According to a report from Restaurants and Institutions, “despite its Italian roots, pizza is a quintessential American favorite. According to R&I’s most recent Menu Census, 50% of noncommercial operators and 31% of commercial operators menu thin-crust pizza, and 18% of all operators have a pan or deep-dish pie on the menu. Moreover, pizza is a go-to meal for varied groups of diners—from young children to college students to fine-dining fans”