Hamburg Celebrates National Pizza Champion: Ferdinando Manna Takes Top Honors
Hamburg, March 18 – The 13th German Pizza Championship, a prestigious competition for pizza talents across the nation, concluded yesterday on St. Pauli with a resounding victory for Hamburg. Ferdinando Manna, a 27-year-old pizzaiolo from the local ‘Bolle’ chain, secured the title of Germany’s best pizza maker in the ‘Contemporary Pizza’ category.
The competition, held as part of the ‘Internorga’ gastronomy fair at the Messehallen on St. Pauli, saw approximately 60 contestants vie for top honors. Manna’s triumph marks a significant achievement for the Hamburg culinary scene.
The Winning Recipe: A Modern Neapolitan Masterpiece
Ferdinando Manna captivated the judges with his “Pizza Napoletana Moderna,” a sophisticated evolution of the classic Neapolitan pizza. His winning creation was a “Marinara” – a pizza traditionally made with only tomato sauce and no cheese. The jury was particularly impressed by the exceptionally crispy base and crust, which perfectly complemented the soft interior of the pizza.
When asked about his secret to success, Manna revealed a unique dough fermentation process and the innovative use of wine in his recipe. This meticulous approach to dough preparation, which involves a two-day fermentation of the ‘Biga’ dough, results in a particularly fluffy and flavorful texture, according to the team at ‘Bolle’.
A Champion’s Journey: From German to European Titles
This is not Manna’s first foray into the winner’s circle. He was previously crowned German Pizza Champion in 2024 and went on to win the European title in 2025, demonstrating a consistent track record of excellence in the art of pizza making.
Where to Savor the Champion’s Creations in Hamburg
For pizza enthusiasts eager to experience Ferdinando Manna’s award-winning skills, his creations can be found at the ‘Bolle’ chain, which operates three locations across Hamburg. In addition to their acclaimed Neapolitan pizzas, ‘Bolle’ also offers “Panuozzi” – pizza sandwiches filled with fresh ingredients, featuring the same specially fermented ‘Biga’ dough.
Lübeck’s Maria-Lillia Oprisnyk Also Shines
The championship also recognized other exceptional talents. In the ‘Pizza Classica Gourmet’ category, Maria-Lillia Oprisnyk, a 22-year-old pizzaiola from the ‘Nico’s’ delivery service in Lübeck, claimed victory. Oprisnyk impressed the judges with her “Etna” pizza, featuring a unique combination of aubergine caponata, jalapeños, tuna, cheese, and chopped pistachios.
The success of both Ferdinando Manna and Maria-Lillia Oprisnyk highlights the growing talent and innovation within Germany’s pizza-making community.
