Kira and Mark Zabrowski, owners of the Shakespeare-themed pizzeria Much Ado About Pizza in Pleasanton, each earned third-place finishes at the California Pizza Challenge. The event took place during the California Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit in Anaheim.
Kira placed third in the Real California 3 Cheese Challenge, a division requiring competitors to use exactly three California cheeses. She prepared a vegetarian pizza named Viola’s Veggie, inspired by a character from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” which is also featured on the restaurant’s menu. According to Kira, she was the only female competitor in that specific division.
Mark achieved third place in the Non-Traditional Challenge with a Mediterranean-inspired pizza featuring unusual ingredients and toppings. Both owners competed in all three divisions of the competition. In their other respective entries, Kira finished sixth in the Non-Traditional Challenge, while Mark placed sixth in the 3 Cheese Challenge. The couple outperformed approximately 17 other competitors from across the nation.
In a statement, Kira expressed pride in representing Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley region on a national stage. She noted that competing alongside top pizza makers from around the world and returning with third-place finishes was a significant honor for the couple, who stated they love their work and value sharing their passion with the community.
The Zabrowskis are members of the United States Pizza Team, a group of professionals competing nationally and internationally. Their previous recognitions include other second and third-place finishes at the California Pizza Challenge, a People’s Choice Award for Best White Wine and Pizza Pairing at the Livermore Valley Wine and Pizza Festival, and finalist status in the Best of the Bay pizza rankings.
