Jaycees Best Pizza Contest Crowns Winners
The 2012 Best Pizza Contest sponsored by the Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg Jaycees was well attended and a great success. Earlier this month, the Schaumburg Township community voted for their favorite pizza in this annual contest. The Jaycees are not-for-profit organizations and proceeds from the event will be funneled back into the community.
The Jaycees would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came to sample pizzas at our 2012 Best Pizza Contest, the Township Building, and all the volunteers who came out to help. The turnout was fantastic and everyone seemed to have a great time.
It was thrilling to see some new entrants this year as well as some returning competitors. The Jaycees would like to thank all of the participating restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, Cici’s Pizza, Eshticken Pizza, Frato’s Pizza, Jet’s Pizza, La Bella Roma’s Pizzeria, Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, Riccardo’s, Rosati’s Pizza, UNO Chicago Grill Schaumburg, and Wa-Pa-Ghetti’s. Without their participation and generosity, this event would not be possible.
Here are the results of the 2012 Best Pizza Contest:
Thin Crust Winner: Frato’s Pizza
Thin Crust Runner-up: Rosati’s Pizza
Pan/Thick Crust Winner: Frato’s Pizza
Pan/Thick Crust Runner-up: Riccardo’s
Specialty Winner: California Pizza Kitchen
Specialty Runner-up: UNO Chicago Grill Schaumburg
Frato’s Pizza was a new competitor in the contest. Michael J. Kudrna, President of Frato’s Pizza, said, “I must personally recognize our incredible staff including Chef Edward Musto. After only six months of new ownership, the changes made have been nothing short of spectacular with many more to come! We continue to work long hours to evolve Frato’s Pizza into a true gourmet establishment. That said, this award makes everyone feel the sacrifice is well worth it. We have phenomenal suppliers such as Chicago’s Vienna Beef working closely with our small business. The Jaycees’ well-organized event made it possible to give recognition to a staff that I am blessed to have. They truly deserve this award. This was absolutely a team effort.”
Winner of the Specialty category, California Pizza Kitchen, has supported this event for the past four years. Laura Jackson, the Regional Sales Manager for California Pizza Kitchen said, “California Pizza Kitchen would like to thank the Jaycees for putting on such a fun and tasty event. At California Pizza Kitchen, it’s always about innovative recipes brought to life with fresh, high quality ingredients. It all begins with passionate people and California creativity and ends with unforgettable flavor.”
After the attendees indulged in the all-you-can eat contest, remaining pizzas were donated to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry.
The Hoffman Estates Jaycees conduct several projects each year, including the Make a Difference Day Food Drive, a Summer Carnival, and the Best Pizza Contest. The Schaumburg Jaycees also organize many projects, including holiday food baskets, a Christmas wish tree, and the Special Olympics.
At the end of each year, profits generated from the chapter projects less chapter expenses are funneled back into the community.
The Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg Chapters of the Jaycees are two of the 1,000 local Chapters throughout the United States. The Jaycees provide individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 the opportunity to network and develop personal and leadership skills while serving their community. The Jaycees are always looking for new members to develop their leadership skills by helping and organizing community service and social projects.
For further information please visit www.hoffmanestatesjaycees.org or www.schaumburgjaycees.org.