Pulcinella chef Marian Lorencik gets ready for pizza Olympics in Las Vegas

Published: 18 February 2011
by JOSH LOEB

A WEST End chef is practising the art of spinning dough disks ahead of his visit to the World Pizza Games.

Marian Lorencik, who works in Pulcinella in Old Compton Street, Soho, will travel west for the pizza industry’s version of the Olympics in Las Vegas Convention Centre on March 1.

He will compete in four categories including largest dough-stretch and longest dough-spin – aiming to beat last year’s record of 4mins 18secs and walk away with a gold medal and $1,000. He will also aim to scoop the best traditional pizza prize (judged on taste and appearance). 

Mr Lorencik said: “The games are normally dominated by the USA, Italy and Japan. I feel like I am representing the UK and want to give a good impression of this country.”

Tony Micallef, his mentor and the owner of Pulcinella, said: “He’s got my backing – and my prayers. He’s definitely going to come back with a gold because I think we have the best pizza in the world. I only eat pizza when he makes it.”

Mr Micallef, who owned several restaurants in Malta where Mr Lorencik trained, said the secret was “in the fingers”. 

“You have to get a feel for the dough. A great pizza is not too crunchy but not too soft,” he said. “You want it to have a bit of bite but not to be like a biscuit.”