The Australian pizzeria voted number one in Oceania revealed – as the owner shares the secret to the perfect pizza
- The 50 Top Pizza Awards are held annually in the Italian city of Naples
- Johnny Di Francesco’s 400 Gradi in Melbourne was crowned Oceania’s best
- This is the second time 400 Gradi won; but it isn’t only Australian place named
A humble Australian pizzeria has been named the ‘Best pizzeria in Oceania’ at an awards ceremony dubbed the ‘Oscars of pizzerias’.
Melbourne’s 400 Gradi by Italian restaurateur Johnny Di Francesco took home the award for the second time at the 50 Top Pizza Awards in Naples, the birthplace of the beloved dish.
As always, the awards were broken down by region, and 400 Gradi was named best in Oceania.
A humble Australian pizzeria has been named the ‘Best pizzeria in Oceania’ at an awards ceremony dubbed the ‘Oscars of pizzerias’ (pictured: 400 Gradi)
The pizzeria first made headlines in 2014 when it beat 600 other competitors from 35 countries to be named best pizza in the world in Parma, Italy.
‘I’m just wrapped that I’ve put Australia back on the map again for the third time,’ Johnny Di Francesco told Broadsheet.
‘We enter these comps not for personal gain anymore, it’s more for letting people know that Australia has amazing products and amazing chefs in the country.
‘We should be proud of it. We’re so far away from the rest of the world but we’re creating world-class products and world-class restaurants.’
Director of the Gradi Group Johnny Di Francesco (pictured) described the restaurant’s win as ‘a huge honour’
400 Gradi wasn’t the only Melbourne-based restaurant to be included in the awards.
Elsewhere in the top 10 was +39 Pizzeria, DOC, SQPR Pizza and Woodstock Pizzecheria.
Other Australian pizzerias to feature were Gigi’s Pizzeria and Rosso Antico in Sydney, Pizzeria Violetta in Brisbane and the Dough Room in Perth.
The overall title of World’s Best Napolitan style pizza in the world outside of Italy went to 50 kalò in London.
The pizzeria first made headlines in 2014 when it beat 600 competitors from 35 countries to be named best pizza in the world (pictured: a traditional Capricciosa pizza)
Situated on the Italian food mecca of Lygon Street in Melbourne’s inner north, 400 Gradi serves up ‘heavenly Italian fare’ with Napolese cuisine at the heart of every dish.
Australia’s best pizzeria boasts a wide range of choices, including the traditional favourite Capricciosa made with San Marzano tomatoes, artichokes, olives, prosciutto and mushrooms ($25) and the quirky Viennese with white sauce and sausage topped with fried chips ($24).
The restaurant’s signature pizza is the self titled Gradi, created with 20-month cured prosciutto di parma, cherry tomatoes, rocket and shaved parmesan for $26.
The most expensive item on the pizza menu is the globally appreciated Calzone al Forno, a folded pizza with mild salami, ricotta cheese, prosciutto cotto and basil priced at $29.
‘We’ve proven Australia makes amazing pizza – you don’t need to be in Naples to eat the best pizza in the world!, Mr Di Francesco (pictured) said
The Austro-German influenced Pizza Viennese from 400 Gradi, with ingredients like fior di latte (soft cheese), German sausage and fried chips on top
The restaurant is no stranger to success, having previously won the coveted accolade of Australia’s best pizza at the 2014 awards.
Mr Di Francesco expressed his delight at Australia’s growing reputation in the gourmet world.
‘We’ve proven Australia makes amazing pizza – you don’t need to be in Naples to eat the best pizza in the world,’ he said.
‘We put pizza on the map four years ago, now this cements its position.’