The PAPA Industry Awards have announced their 2023 winners. Organised by the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association (PAPA), the prestigious awards celebrate excellence across the industry, from small independents to established sector giants and nationwide chains.
The association, which held its annual awards last night, presented 21 accolades. The glittering event saw over 350 retail, manufacturing and supplier peers come together to celebrate another year’s worth of new products, marketing initiatives, environmental strategies and overall positive performance.
With entries at an all-time high across each of the 20 categories, the panel of industry experts had to work hard to whittle down finalists and decide on the eventual champions.
2023 WINNERS:
Italian Restaurant Award: La Locanda – Gisburn
This award is presented to those independent Italian restaurants that bring food, families and friends together nationwide.
Italian Restaurant Chain Award: Zizzi
This award is presented to those chain Italian restaurants that bring food, families and friends together nationwide.
Independent Pizza Restaurant Award: Taste of Italy, Chelmsford
This award recognises the very best of independent restaurants.
Pizza Restaurant – Chain Award: Pizza Pilgrims
This award recognises the very best of pizza chain restaurants.
Independent Pizza Delivery Award: Village Pizza Kitchen, Hurstpierpoint
This award recognises the shining stars of the independent pizza delivery market.
Pizza Delivery – Chain Award: Domino’s
This award recognises the shining stars of the major chain pizza delivery market.
Community & Social Responsibility Award: Caprinos Pizza
This award shines the spotlight on those businesses which have made a significant effort to improve the world around them.
Manufactured Pizza Award (Everyday Category): Aldi Specially Selected Spicy Salami and Chilli Jam Sourdough
With this award, there’s something for everyone. The judges will consider both standard
Manufactured Pizza Award (Premium Category): Tesco La Rustica, Tesco La Montanara
With this award, there’s something for everyone. The judges will consider both everyday and premium entries, presenting the award to the best new manufactured pizza.
Chilled Pizza Multiple Retailer Award: Aldi
Presented to the multiple retailer whose performance has driven sales in the chilled pizza sector.
Frozen Pizza Multiple Retailer Award: Aldi
Presented to the multiple retailer whose performance has driven sales in the frozen pizza sector.
Convenience Store Pizza Retailer Award (National Category): Co-op
Presented to the convenience retailer whose performance has driven sales in the pizza sector.
Convenience Store Pizza Retailer Award (Regional Category): Scotmid Co-operative
Presented to the convenience retailer whose performance has driven sales in the pizza sector.
Pasta Retailer Award: Lidl
Presented to the multiple retailer whose performance has driven sales in the pasta sector.
Italian Style Ready-Made Main Meal Award (Foodservice Category): Prezzo Spinach Creste di Gallo
An award for new, Italian style, ready-made main meal dishes.
Italian Style Ready-Made Main Meal Award (Retail Category): Tesco Finest Mushroom Pappardelle
An award for new, Italian style, ready-made main meal dishes.
Italian Style Food Award: Dell’Ugo – Pinsa with Truffle Butter
An award for food products or ingredients bringing something new and inspiring for chefs to use when creating their menu.
Business & Product Innovation Award: Caprinos Pizza Paving the Way to Excellence
A broad category focusing on innovation. This could be technical or marketing initiatives; software, apps and ordering systems; packaging, equipment or other non-food products.
PAPA Industry Award: Tom Fitzgibbon
This lifetime achievement award is a gift of the Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association management committee and is presented to a recipient whose contribution to the industry merits this special recognition.
The awards evening took place at the “Royal Lancaster, London “and were hosted by celebrity chef Theo Randall and comedian Adam Bloom. They spoke of the challenges the year has posed for the industry, and how they make the award winners even more deserving.
Jim Winship, PAPA director said, “The PAPA Awards are the benchmark for excellence in our industry, with the range of awards acknowledging new products, marketing creativities, green initiatives, overall performance, and so much more.
“It was a demanding year for our judges as the entries were just that good! It was a pleasure to reward every single winner, from retailers to manufacturers and suppliers alike.”
Now in their 34th year, the awards are a calendar highlight. They also act as a precursor to the annual National Pizza Week, which returns later this month. This seven-day celebration aims to support the industry, rejoicing in the nation’s love of pizza.
Jim concluded, “The PAPA Awards always begin what feels like a month-long celebration of everything pizza, pasta and Italian food. There’s no time to relax after the awards. Our team is now very busy preparing for National Pizza Week, which kick-starts on Monday, 20 November. We are already working with many of our members to propel their creative ideas and activities that week. We hope the whole country gets behind the pizza once more this year and heads to a pizzeria or chain nearby.”
