The Bayonne Community News and the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to establish the first annual Bayonne’s Best Pizza Challenge. The contest is open to any Bayonne restaurant that makes its own pizza.
Advertisements and ballots will appear in the April 11, 18 and 25 editions of the Bayonne Community News, with a deadline for voting on May 2. The winners will be announced in the May 16 edition.
The contest is one of the new initiatives by Chamber President Vincent Virga to increase interest in local businesses.
The judges of the contest will be the general public. They will be able to fill out ballots and drop them off at designated stores, to be announced, or they can vote on-line at a Web site, also to be announced.
Dave Unger, co-publisher of the Bayonne Community News, said this is planned to be an annual event.
Restaurants will pay a $300 fee to participate, but the winners will get bragging rights for a whole year after which they will clash again for the title.
The winners will receive recognition as a Chamber to Charity event at some point in May, where each will receive a plaque and certificate.
“We at the chamber are sure that this event will be a hit for years to come.” – Vincent Virga
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The Chamber to Charity event is one of the most well-attended events that the chamber holds for the winners to receive significant public attention.
The contest will have six categories, and will have a winner and a first runner up for each. It will rely on people to come out and support their favorite pizza or, if they are ambitious, to travel to the various eateries around the city to sample a slice.
In cities throughout Hudson County, quality pizza is one staple of many menus, and though several eateries have local followings, this contest is a way to reach out to the community and allow people who might not be familiar with the quality of a restaurant’s offerings to try them.
Although Bayonne has had hotdog eating contests over the years, this chamber event allows the public to choose which restaurants have the best offerings in each category.
The categories for the contest include Best Regular Pizza, Best Sicilian Deep Dish Pizza, Best Thin Crust Pizza, Best Specialty or Gourmet Pizza, Best Unique Pizza Topping, and Best White Pizza.
Local restaurants appear to be excited about the contest. Many have responded to a letter promoting the event. So far Café Bello, Goodfella’s, Pizzalino’s, Mona Lisa, Joe’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Naples, La Guardiola Pizzeria and the Big Apple have stepped up to test their mettle as Bayonne’s best.
Residents who have their own personal favorites might encourage the business owners to join in what is certain to become a hotly discussed contest. And since residents themselves will be the judge, every restaurant has a change to shine.
“We at the chamber are sure that this event will be a hit for years to come,” Virga said.
To register a business, call (201) 436-4333 or email the Chamber at info@bayonnechamber.org.