The 2025 Real California Pizza Contest Recipes Are Here!

From left: CMAB CEO Bob Carroll, CMAB Board Member Renae DeJager, CMAB Board Chairman Noel Rosa; Winning Chefs: Marcus Medina, Salvatore Trupiano, Eddie Stalewski; Judges: Laura Meyer, Tony Gemignani, Glenn Cybulski.

CHEF SALVATORE TRUPIANO WINS GRAND PRIZE FOR CREATIVE USE OF REAL CALIFORNIA CHEESE IN NATIONAL PIZZA CONTEST

Chefs Marcus Medina and Eddie Stalewski Are the Other Big Winners in Real California Milk’s 7th Annual Pizza Bake-off Event

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced three new pizza champions in the 2025 Real California Pizza Contest, the premier national search for the best pizza recipes that feature Real California Cheeses.

Chef Salvatore Trupiano, CEO of Mangia e Bevi in Oceanside, Calif. won the contest’s Grand Prize and the Big Cheese category award, taking home $10,000. Chef Marcus Medina of Hella Pie Pizza in Tracy, Calif. received $5,000 as the Innovation category winner, and in the On the Menu category, Chef Edward Stalewski of Mercurio’s in Pittsburgh, Pa., took home the $5,000 category prize. READ MORE…

SALVATORE TRUPIANO
Oceanside, Calif.

The Creamery Crown
Grand Prize & Big Cheese Winner

The Creamery Crown combines Real California Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Carmody, Dry Jack, and Crème Fraîche in a decadent balance of creamy, tangy, and nutty flavors.

Big Cheese

Edward Stalewski
Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Iron Crust
On the Menu Winner

The Iron Crust pizza is a bold, flavor-packed creation prepared in a cast iron pan featuring cupping pepperoni and layered with Real California Mozzarella, Provolone and white Cheddar cheeses, topped with whipped Ricotta and grated Gouda.

On the Menu

Marcus Medina
Tracy, Calif.

Hellapeno Za’pper
Innovation Winner

The Hellapeno Za’pper pairs four Real California cheeses – Mozzarella, Cheddar, Cream Cheese, and Dry Jack – with maple bacon, fresh jalapeños, and smoked hot honey.

Innovation