Latest news with #Toullec
Calgary Herald
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Two Canadian pizzaiolos among the world's 100 best pizza chefs
Article content An independent voting panel of 512 experts from 60 countries has recognized what locals already knew. Ryan Baddeley of Toronto's Pizzeria Badiali and Cédric Toullec of Halifax's Lou Pécou Artisanal Pizzeria make some of the best pizza in the world. Article content The third edition of The Best Pizza Awards, a 'celebration of global pizza excellence and innovation,' recently took place in Milan, Italy. Baddeley was named No. 51 for his 'refined yet nostalgic approach' to New York-style pizza by the slice. Toullec, whose ethos is 'rooted in sustainability and authenticity,' placed No. 93. Article content Article content Article content Italian pizza chefs dominated the 2025 ranking with 36 of the 100 spots, including the top three. 'Famed for his mastery of dough and pioneering techniques,' Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli in Caserta was crowned the world's best pizza chef. (Up from No. 5 in 2024.) Franco Pepe of Caiazzo's Pepe in Grani, 'A pioneer of terroir-driven pizza,' was named No. 2, down from the top spot in 2024 and 2023. Gabriele Bonci of Rome's Pizzarium, who earned the nickname 'Michelangelo of pizza' for his pizza al taglio (rectangular pies sold by the slice), rose one place from last year to round out the top three. Article content Article content Article content Jorge Sastre and Rafa Panatieri were the only other pizza chefs outside Italy to break the top 10. The friends placed No. 8 for the artisanal 'farm-to-pizza' pies they make at Barcelona's Sartoria Panatieri, which showcase organic, local and seasonal products. Article content Article content Alongside pizza chefs from countries including Brazil, India, Taiwan, the Philippines and the United States, Baddeley and Toullec were the only Canadian pizzaiolos to make the 2025 list. Article content Baddeley, a former fine-dining chef who worked at Toronto restaurants including Bar Isabel and Bar Raval, opened Pizzeria Badiali in 2021. It's since become a community fixture with lines around the block. 'Badiali is about more than just great ingredients — it's about heritage and craftsmanship. Using three-day fermented dough and premium Italian flour, each pizza balances crispy, airy texture with bold, familiar flavours,' The Best Pizza Awards said on Instagram.
Vancouver Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Two Canadian pizzaiolos among the world's 100 best pizza chefs
An independent voting panel of 512 experts from 60 countries has recognized what locals already knew. Ryan Baddeley of Toronto's Pizzeria Badiali and Cédric Toullec of Halifax's Lou Pécou Artisanal Pizzeria make some of the best pizza in the world. The third edition of The Best Pizza Awards , a 'celebration of global pizza excellence and innovation,' recently took place in Milan, Italy. Baddeley was named No. 51 for his 'refined yet nostalgic approach' to New York-style pizza by the slice. Toullec, whose ethos is 'rooted in sustainability and authenticity,' placed No. 93. Italian pizza chefs dominated the 2025 ranking with 36 of the 100 spots, including the top three. 'Famed for his mastery of dough and pioneering techniques,' Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli in Caserta was crowned the world's best pizza chef. (Up from No. 5 in 2024.) Franco Pepe of Caiazzo's Pepe in Grani, 'A pioneer of terroir-driven pizza,' was named No. 2, down from the top spot in 2024 and 2023. Gabriele Bonci of Rome's Pizzarium , who earned the nickname 'Michelangelo of pizza' for his pizza al taglio (rectangular pies sold by the slice), rose one place from last year to round out the top three. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Though chefs based in pizza's birthplace understandably stole the spotlight, two Tokyo pizzaiolos made the top 10. Rome-born Daniele Cason of The Pizza Bar on 38th came in at No. 6, and self-taught Okinawan chef Tsubasa Tamaki placed No. 10 for the Neapolitan-style pizza he bakes in a cedar-fired oven at Pizza Studio Tamaki . Jorge Sastre and Rafa Panatieri were the only other pizza chefs outside Italy to break the top 10. The friends placed No. 8 for the artisanal 'farm-to-pizza' pies they make at Barcelona's Sartoria Panatieri , which showcase organic, local and seasonal products. Alongside pizza chefs from countries including Brazil, India, Taiwan, the Philippines and the United States, Baddeley and Toullec were the only Canadian pizzaiolos to make the 2025 list. Baddeley, a former fine-dining chef who worked at Toronto restaurants including Bar Isabel and Bar Raval, opened Pizzeria Badiali in 2021. It's since become a community fixture with lines around the block. 'Badiali is about more than just great ingredients — it's about heritage and craftsmanship. Using three-day fermented dough and premium Italian flour, each pizza balances crispy, airy texture with bold, familiar flavours,' The Best Pizza Awards said on Instagram . Founded in 2022, Toullec named his Halifax pizzeria Lou Pécou after the stem that holds a cluster of fruit, such as tomatoes, in the Provençal dialect. Growing up in his hometown of Marseilles, France, Toullec's grandmother taught him to pay special attention to the stems when buying produce at the market. A 'good pécou' was a telltale sign that the fruit was fresh and ripe. Toullec extended this attention to detail to the ingredients he uses at his pizzeria. He makes his naturally leavened dough with 100 per cent organic flour, and either sources toppings with care or prepares them in-house. Toullec said being named one of the world's best pizzaiolos was 'an unbelievable honour.' He added in an Instagram post , 'The story we're living is nothing short of incredible. We never imagined this would be possible for our little team and pizzeria in Halifax. But here we are proof that everything is possible with passion, dedication and countless hours of true labour of love.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here .
Global News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Halifax pizzaiolo named one of the top 100 pizza chefs in the world
Halifax-based master artisan pizzaiolo Cédric Toullec says he was shocked when he found out he had been named one of the top 100 pizza chefs in the world. Toullec, who is the chef at Lou Pécou Pizzeria in north-end Halifax, says he thought he was being scammed at first. 'I told my team that we have received the biggest scam,' he said. 'For us to pretend to have access to this kind (of recognition), it's way beyond reasonable.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Originally from Marseille, France, Toullec says when the restaurant opened three years ago, he wanted to use local ingredients and deliver fresh, authentic pizza. The Best Chef Awards is an international culinary ranking that works in the same way the Michelin Guide does. Story continues below advertisement Owners and staff are never aware that their restaurant is being judged. 'I was happy before that happened, I didn't need that to be happy or alive. I was proud of what I was doing, I was proud of my team, I was proud about Halifax,' he said. 'That is just a little cherry on the cake. That I like.' Despite the new international recognition, he stresses the importance of supporting local restaurants and cafes. 'Small restaurants are really the soul and the guardian and the heir of what Nova Scotia has to give, the best of what it has to offer,' said Toullec. 'There is so many places that deserve attention, deserve the same amount of recognition.' For more on this story, watch the video above.
