In New York, within the prestigious setting of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, Italian gastronomic culture met the great history of football during Pizza of Champions, the event promoted by I Love Italian Food as part of the activities of House of Made in Italy. An original and symbolic project that brought together sport, education and cultural identity in a shared narrative dedicated to the values of Made in Italy.
The evening featured five outstanding Italian pizzaioli active on the New York gastronomic scene — Roberto Caporuscio (Kesté), Pasquale Cozzolino (Ribalta), Giorgia Caporuscio (Don Antonio), Raffaele Volpe (San Matteo) and Ciro Iovine (Song’E Napule), represented by his pizzaioli Davide Montella and Vincenzo Santoro — who paid tribute to five champions of the Italian National Team, protagonists of the historic World Cup victories in 1982 and 2006.
Through the creation of original pizzas, each pizzaiolo interpreted the career, personality and sporting values of the champion to whom they were paired: Simone Perrotta, Ciro Ferrara, Paolo Rossi, Enzo Bearzot and Alberto Gilardino. A creative and narrative exercise that transformed ingredients, techniques and gastronomic vision into a language capable of telling stories of discipline, talent, teamwork and passion.
“Pizza of Champions was born from the idea of showing how sport and cuisine are two extraordinary tools of cultural identity and international dialogue,” explained Silvia Meloni, Vice President of I Love Italian Food. “Through this project, we aim to bring international audiences closer to the authentic values of Italy, while at the same time engaging younger generations in educational pathways that combine training, culture and sport.”
The event is part of the journey leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, representing a concrete opportunity to promote Italian gastronomic heritage in connection with one of the most important sporting events in the world.
Adding rhythm and vibrancy to the evening was journalist Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa, New York representative of the Italian Sports Press Union (USSI), who moderated the event guiding the audience through sports storytelling, live show-cooking moments and tastings with an engaging and dynamic style that perfectly reflected the Italian identity of the project.
The occasion also marked the launch of a new collaboration between I Love Italian Food and USSI. On this occasion, USSI President Gianfranco Coppola sent his greetings and best wishes for the success of the initiative, stating:
“I wish to emphasize the importance of building synergy among some of the finest expressions of Italian excellence. This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the foundation of USSI. Throughout this anniversary year, many initiatives are accompanying and enriching the way sport is told and shared.
Sport and food, in fact, are much more than simple fields of activity. They are universal languages capable of telling the story of Italy—its culture, its traditions, and its way of life. Together they represent two fundamental pillars of the Made in Italy identity, which continues to be appreciated and recognized all over the world.”
Reflecting on the cultural value of the initiative, Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa also highlighted the role of sports journalism in connecting stories, communities and institutions:
“The mission of USSI has always been to give strength, identity, and representation to those who tell the story of sport every day. Through this important role, USSI has become an important part of Italian society.
Sport and food are much more than simple fields of activity. They are universal languages capable of telling the story of Italy—its culture, its traditions, and its way of life. Together they represent two fundamental pillars of the Made in Italy identity, which continues to be appreciated and recognized all over the world.
Events like this demonstrate how naturally the expressions of Italian excellence can interact with one another. Here, food, sport, and journalism meet and interconnect creating a unique narrative shaped by passion, identity, and shared values.
Through sport we encounter stories of people, sacrifices, passions, and identities. And this is exactly where the work of sports journalists comes into play. They are the ones who give voice to these stories.
It is precisely within this context that the role of USSI finds its place. The association is officially recognized by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) as an Association of Merit. It is also a specialized group within the Italian National Federation of the Press.”
Particularly meaningful was the involvement of the Scuola d’Italia in New York and the Juventus Academy in an educational project dedicated to students, who were invited to reflect on the role of sport in shaping identity and spreading the positive values connected to Made in Italy.
Alongside the educational and institutional components, the central highlight of the evening was naturally the gastronomic show, with the audience actively engaged in tastings and live storytelling, in an atmosphere capable of combining sporting memory, culinary innovation and conviviality.
Thanks to the support of the partners — Columbus Citizens Foundation, Juventus Academy, Scuola d’Italia and Fondazione Candiolo — Pizza of Champions proved to be a format capable of enhancing Italian talent abroad and building new synergies between culture, education and international promotion.
A project that once again demonstrates how Italian cuisine, when told with authenticity and vision, can become a powerful tool for connecting people, territories and generations.
House of Made in Italy is a project by I Love Italian Food and Columbus Citizens Foundation, carried out under the patronage of the Italian Trade Agency and with the support of Coldiretti and Filiera Italia.
Sponsors: Agriform, Mulino Caputo, Casa Modena, Ciao – Il Pomodoro di Napoli, Filicori Zecchini, Acetaia Giusti, Granterre, Lurisia, Monini, Parmareggio, Mionetto, Effeuno, Il Newyorkese, Marino PR, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Modalità, Manikomio Dsgn and Istituto 100% Italiano.
