By Brian Hernandez
Zoe Zabrowski showed up to the Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup ready to compete. She had practiced. She had a vision: a pizza called “Pig in Paradise.” What she didn’t have, at one critical moment, was the pork she needed to finish it.
That kind of moment can break a young competitor. Or it can become the spark that shows them what this industry is really about. For Zabrowski, the latter was true: Thanks to a helpful assist (more on that later), she was crowned 2025 Young Pizza Maker Champion at the Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup in Orlando, Florida, in November.
Brian Hernandez sat down with Zabrowski—daughter of Mark and Kira Zabrowski, who own Much Ado About Pizza in Pleasanton, California—and Chef Joseph Willen (a.k.a. Chef Joey) from Margherita Meats to talk about the win, the scramble and the quiet lessons that stuck long after the judges tasted the pizza.
PMQ: Zoe, when you first decided to compete, what were you hoping to prove to yourself?
Zoe Zabrowski: When I first heard about the competition, I was really excited and wanted to prove myself. I didn’t grow up in pizza, but after competing, that’s when I developed a real love and respect for pizza making and knew I wanted to keep pursuing it.
PMQ: Mark and Kira, what told you Zoe was ready for something like this?
Mark and Kira Zabrowski: We could tell Zoe was ready because of her level of commitment. She was taking notes, practicing on her own, and even developing her own sauce. She wasn’t just following instructions. She was experimenting and explaining why she made certain choices.
PMQ: Zoe, what was going through your head when you realized a key ingredient was missing?
Zoe: I was really worried and kind of freaking out. I started thinking about where we could possibly find what I needed, even if it meant leaving the area and coming back.
PMQ: Zoe, how did Chef Joey and Margherita Meats end up changing the course of your competition?
Zoe: We were scrambling around the trade show floor trying to find the right product when my parents remembered Margherita Meats was a USPT sponsor, so we ran to their booth. Chef Joey jumped in without hesitation. He gave us what we needed right away and helped us get back on track. It was honestly amazing how quickly he stepped up.
PMQ: Chef Joey, what made you want to help at that moment?
Chef Joey: Having competed in junior culinary events early in my career, I understood exactly what position Zoe was in. It was an easy decision to help support a young competitor chasing her goal.
PMQ: Why does supporting young pizza makers matter to you and to Margherita Meats as a sponsor?
Chef Joey: It’s about inspiring the next generation of pizza chefs. Giving them access to ingredients they can trust helps build confidence and shows them what’s possible when quality and opportunity come together.
PMQ: Zoe, tell me about your winning pizza and where the idea came from.
Zoe: I was inspired by a Hawaiian luau. I really wanted to use mango and roasted mango on a pizza and see how it tasted with pork. I took a chance, and it ended up working.
PMQ: What did it feel like when you heard your name called as the winner?
Zoe: I was really excited. I wanted to jump up and down. I practiced a lot and had some failures along the way, but I really came in wanting to win.
PMQ: Chef Joey, what stood out most to you about Zoe’s performance?
Chef Joey: She took a risk by competing, and she didn’t quit when something unexpected happened. She adapted, pushed through it and came out on top.
PMQ: Mark and Kira, what did this experience teach you about the pizza community?
Mark and Kira: It showed us how supportive the pizza community really is. People want to compete against others at their best, and they’re willing to help make that happen.
PMQ: Zoe, what would you say to other young pizza makers thinking about competing for the first time?
Zoe: It’s okay to be nervous. Everyone is. Practice, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to learn from the people around you. Just go for it and have fun.
Brian Hernandez is PMQ Pizza’s associate editor and the director of the U.S. Pizza Team.
