Broadbeach chef Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato won the ‘Australia’s Best Pizza Award’, while Jonathon Donovan from CBCo brewing in Melbourne has won the highly coveted ‘Australia’s Best Burger Award’ at Food & Hospitality Week.
Emanuele, who won both ‘Best Classic Pizza’ and best overall ‘Pizza Chef of the Year’ is a Sicilian-born pizza and pastry chef who launched Ciccio’s in the Gold Coast last October.
The winning pizza was a twist on the classic Pizza Marinara inspired by one of the great Italian ‘old-guard’ pizza chefs, Antonio Starita. In addition to the classic combination of tomato, oregano and olive oil, Emanuele added datterino tomatoes, pecorino cheese, and black pepper.
Emanuele said the brave move paid off in the competition and allowed him to showcase his skill as a pizza chef. “The biggest challenge is adaptability. I went from fermenting pizza dough at room temperature in the Gold Coast to 12 degree temperatures in Melbourne. Luckily I have the knowledge and skill to adapt my approach, honed from making pizza for the last 24 years.”
“At Ciccio’s, I do everything myself taking no shortcuts. We have over 40 pizzas to choose from and are the closest thing you’ll get to an authentic Italian pizzeria in Australia,” he said.
Jonathon Donovan, chef at CBCo Brewing Port Melbourne Brewery and Tap Room was applauded by the judges for his unique take on a ‘Fillet-o-Fish’ burger featuring shrimp, panko crumb with a ranch and Japanese Mayo sauce.
“It’s phenomenally hard to cook in a kitchen that’s not yours under such pressure, yet all the contestants put up delicious, high-quality burgers. Jonathon was able to deliver consistently when it came to both flavour and presentation of his two burgers, it was a very well-deserved win,” said Judge Jimmy Hurlston from Easey’s in Collingwood, Melbourne.
The inaugural Australia’s Best Burger and Best Pizza Awards formed part of Australia’s most anticipated foodservice trade show: Food & Hospitality Week, which took place at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 18-20 May 2025. https://foodserviceaustralia.com.au/
Australia’s Best Pizza Award Winners:
- Pizza Chef of the Year: Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato
- Best Classic Pizza: Emanuele Malara from Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato
- Best Creative Pizza: Nicola Pellegrino from Ollie’s Italian
Sponsors: Caboolture, Euroquip, Le 5 Stagioni, Marana Australia, Perfect Italiano, San Pellegrino
Australia’s Best Burger Award Winners:
- National Burger Winner: Jonathon Donovan from CBCo Brewing Port Melbourne Brewery and Tap Room
- Best Signature Burger: Tie between Ben Niumata from Grubbies Burgers & Hawaiian BBQ and Stuart Walsh from The Shearing Shed – Phillip Island
- Best Technical Burger: Matt McKee from Hashtag Burgers and Waffles
Sponsors: Australian Avocados, Brioche Gourmet, Dairy Farmers, Lamb Weston and Wood’s
