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Nino Del Greco and his wife, Jennifer, of Sterling Heights, make a New York-style cheese pizza. The couple, who own Pizza Del Nino, planned to attend the International Pizza Expo and Convention in Las Vegas and compete in pizza-making contests.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
STERLING HEIGHTS — A Sterling Heights couple recently took their pizza-making prowess to Las Vegas in an attempt to win some culinary contests.
Sterling Heights residents Nino Del Greco and his wife, Jennifer, own a mobile pizza catering company, Pizza Del Nino. The couple decided to go to Las Vegas March 28-30 to take part in the 39th annual International Pizza Expo and Convention.
The event bills itself as “The Largest Pizza Show in the World” and says it draws thousands of industry professionals who are dedicated to the savory pies.
Nino described the history of his business, which takes mobile ovens that make hot, fresh pizzas and brings them to private parties.
“I always had a passion for making homemade pizza,” he said. “My wife and I turned it into a business at the end of 2018.”
Jennifer described how the mobile ovens make her business unique, adding that “we get to go where most food trucks can’t.”
“We can go in the backyards. One event was a private event on the third floor of the building where we’ve taken (the equipment) up in an elevator. We get to be in unique situations, so I love that.”
Nino said he first heard about the International Pizza Expo in 2017. He said he first went to it the following year and started networking with different people in the industry, both for marketing purposes and because “it helps drive the passion” for his business.
But something else caught Nino’s eye during that first visit: the expo’s pizza-making contests.
“I saw the contests and was like, ‘I am definitely doing this,’” he said.
So in 2019, he started competing as a pizza maker, and he since has done at every following expo.
This year, both he and his wife competed in some of the contests.
Nino competed in the traditional category, where contestants are only allowed to make a round pizza with red sauce and up to two specific toppings. Jennifer competed in the nontraditional contest, where “all bets are off,” since it allows competitors to make any type of pizza or toppings.
The couple also teamed up in a tandem competition in which they were tasked with making three pizzas together. Cash prizes are given to contest winners.
Jennifer said that, besides the contests, the event attracts plenty of business vendors and suppliers, as well as educational seminars. She said she looked forward to seeing her friends in the pizza industry, later describing the community as “one pizza, one family.”
“It’s very warm and welcoming,” she added.
Nino said his favorite pizza is a classic round pepperoni pizza. In regard to the age-old question on the appropriateness of putting pineapple on pizza, he said, “It’s definitely controversial, but people should be allowed to do what they want.”
He added that he is looking forward to expanding his business in the future.
“We purchased a trailer last year that we want to outfit, so we can do more events,” he said.
Find out more about Pizza Del Nino by visiting facebook.com/pizzadelnino. Learn more about the International Pizza Expo and Conference by visiting pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com.
