Alabama News Center — Valentina’s in Madison, Alabama, displays the art and science of an award-winning pizza

By: Scotty E. Kirkland / Alabama Living

You can find some of the world’s best pizza in Madison, Alabama. Go ahead and read that sentence again. From his base of operations at Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, chef Joe Carlucci is sharing his lifelong passion for pizza with the world, one record at a time.

At last year’s International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Carlucci earned his sixth and seventh trophies. He is the reigning “Pizza Maker of the Year” and winner of the coveted prize for “Best Non-Traditional Style Pizza in the World.” His victorious pie featured a mango chutney reduction topped with crabmeat and lobster, seasoned with Italian parsley and red pepper flakes. A nontraditional pizza, indeed.

The awards come from the members of the World Pizza Champions, a nonprofit organization of around 200 members devoted to promoting the craft through competitions, educational outreach and public service. Carlucci is no stranger to the group. In fact, he is a founding member. Carlucci’s pizza-making travels have taken him to Germany, Italy, Spain and even China. He has appeared on more than a dozen television programs, including the “Today” show.

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