It takes a brave pizza chef to go to Naples and show the locals how it’s done, but one Aussie pizzaiolo has done just that – and beaten the masters at their own game.
When you think of the greatest pizza in the world, your thoughts will no doubt turn to Naples. As anyone who’s eaten a pizza there will know, there are really no words to describe it (and we’ll leave the Eat, Pray, Love references out of this, thank you very much), but ultimately it comes down to several key things: centuries of tradition, superior local ingredients and quick, high-heat woodfired oven cooking. There are even strict rules to protect what can be called a Neapolitan pizza, should you care to look them up. We prefer just to close our eyes and enjoy the ride.
But now the pizza maestros of Napoli have some stiff competition, and it comes from a rather surprising place – Church Street in Greater Western Sydney’s Parramatta.
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Simone Zullo, who co-owns Parramatta pizzeria Fratelli Pulcinella with his brother Alessio, has taken out the number-one spot at the 2026 World Pizza Championships in Naples, winning the highly coveted STG Neapolitan Pizza (Specialità Tradizionale Garantita, or Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) category.
In this category, competitors must follow the strict rules of Neapolitan-style pizza making to the letter – choosing only from either a margherita or marinara pizza – and impress the panel of expert judges with their result. It’s a true test of artisanal skill – competitors need to prove that they have mastered and perfected the art of traditional Neapolitan pizza making.
In 2025, Zullo also took out a top prize at the championships, this time in the Classic Pizza category, which awards creativity and culinary innovation. Here, he prepared a burrata pizza with cauliflower and cherry tomatoes, using a 24-hour fermented dough, crushed Salerno Marzano tomatoes and premium Tonda Del Matese olive oil.
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Sharing the news on social media, Fratelli Pulcinella said:
“From Fratelli Pulcinella, founded by brothers Alessio and Simone Zullo, another world title comes home.
Today, Simone Zullo stands on top of the world, representing years of passion, sacrifice and dedication to the art of pizza.
From Sydney to Naples, carrying Italian pride onto the world stage.
Forza Simone! Forza Fratelli Pulcinella!”
So save yourself the 24-hour flight to Italy – absolute pizza perfection is waiting for you in downtown Parramatta.
Fratelli Pulcinella
399 Church St, Parramatta NSW
@fratellipulcinella
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