According to EastHaddam.Patch.com, “The 11 locations of Pizzeria DaVinci can now add “Award Winning” to the menu, following a second-place finish at the American Pizza Championships held in Milwaukee last month.”

“Pizzeria DaVinci owner and founder Drew Sassi, of Killingworth, walked away with the second-place prize in just his second foray into the world of competitive pizza making. In fact, this was the second pizza competition for Sassi in less than a month. Sassi, his wife Carrie and colleague Doug Felton participated in the International Pizza Expo in Chicago, finishing 19th in a field of 65 from around the world. The winner of that competition was from Italy. For both of these competitions, participants are required to bring all the ingredients to make their best pizzas for an independent panel of judges. Sassi learned some tricks from the Chicago competition which served his Milwaukee pizzas well.”

“For each competition Sassi entered a different pizza. He created a fig, arugula and speck – a lightly smoked ham – pizza at the International Expo. Sassi decided to deliver a local and personal favorite – the DaVinci – at the American Championships. This vegetarian specialty white pizza is topped with spinach, sun dried tomatoes, roasted garlic and feta cheese.”