Pittsburgh – September 6, 2011:  Mandy’s Pizza, with two locations in Pittsburgh is celebrating National Celiac Awareness Day by making the Largest Gluten-Free Pizza in the World.

September 13th is National Celiac Awareness Day and while those who suffer from this disease are prevented from consuming products that contain wheat, barley, rye, and oats, you cannot imagine how hard it is to find a way to dine out again.  Mandy’s already is known for their 30″ Monster Pizza which unfortunately cannot be consumed by those with food-related illnesses, so Mandy’s wanted to make a Gluten-Free version dubbed the Gluten-Free Monster Pizza!

“When our 7-year old son Brandon, who suffers from severe food allergies, came to our pizzeria and wanted to “smell” a pizza, it was that which made us come up with a pizza that even he could enjoy.”  “It is truly saddening when our son sat in our pizzerias and realized that there was nothing for him to eat”, states Steven Negri, President of the Mandy’s Pizza Group.

Steven, and his wife Veronica, tried countless store bought and commercially available gluten-free pizza mixes, frozen shells, and ready-made pizzas.  It became apparent that nearly all of them either had a gritty taste, or worse yet felt like eating a sponge.  Though there were products out there to accommodate food allergies or Celiac Disease this “texture or taste issue” is one of the many reasons people just won’t dine out.

“We know what it’s like to have a child with special dietary needs so it was only natural to combine our understanding of the handicap along with our experience in the pizza industry to provide a solution full of taste and texture that can be enjoyed by both young and old”, states Veronica Negri.

The goal of this event is to bring awareness to the growing number of people being diagnosed with gluten related issues as well as those who suffer from food allergies.  Furthermore, we want those who suffer from these diseases to know that there are options out there so that they can again enjoy dining out.

About Mandy’s Pizza

Keeping up with tradition by only serving “fresh-dough” pizza in sizes from 10″ to their famous 30″ Monster topped with the finest cheese and meats, they also offer a full-line of over-stuffed hot hoagies, signature flatbread sandwiches, and the largest wings in town.  To top it off, Mandy’s is the only pizzeria in the United States who can deliver a pizza that will accommodate those with food allergies and/or gluten related issues.  In addition to this special pizza Mandy’s also now offers jumbo whole chicken wings, hot hoagies, and YES fresh-cut French fries.

Founded in 1979 and Mandy’s Pizza was an innovator in the Pittsburgh area by being one of the first to offer home-delivery.  They have also won award for being Best Pizza in the North, and well as a top-ranking at the annual Pizza Pizzazz Competition sponsored by NAPICS, the North American Pizza and Ice Cream Expo, located in Columbus, Ohio.

Steven and his family reside in Franklin Park and they young children attend the North Allegheny School District.