A Nesquehoning pizza shop owner has won the top award at Pizza Expo 2024 being held this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Tony Cerimele of New Columbus Pizza Co. in Nesquehoning, has won Pizza Maker of the Year.

He also won the pan pizza category.

Cerimele competed against 50 other top competitors in the pan pizza division, and hundreds more from other divisions. The talented pizzaioli came from around the world to compete in three grueling rounds at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

Pizza Expo is in its 40th year of operation and is heralded as the pizza industry’s largest pizza event. The event is operated by Pizza Today and attracts thousands of pizza fanatics from around the globe.

Cerimele posted on Facebook, “Well it is true that hard work and perseverance pays off. We battled to the top to take 1st place in the Pan Division and then went on to win Pizza Maker of the Year. For that, the winner of each division squares off with only their dough and has to use the ingredients provided to them. Such an incredible experience. My emotions are still flying high and I know my father was with me the whole time pulling strings from heaven.”