ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Originals is about to answer those burning questions in the fourth annual Pizza Throwdown on Saturday, June 9, when nine ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ pizzerias toss their dough into the fire to find the area’s best pizzaiolo. Tickets for the event are sold out.

For two short hours — from 6 to 8 p.m. — the pizza chefs will assemble the best of their best pies while a trio of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ breweries — Thunder Canyon Brewstillery, Barrio Brewing Co. and Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. — pour their best locally brewed beers.

Reigning champ Scott Volpe, founder of Fiamme Pizza, will compete with chefs from Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria; Rocco’s Little Chicago; Mama Louisa’s; Uppercrust Pizza; ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Pizza Company; Casino Del Sol; and Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bistro.

Thunder Canyon Brewstillery will multitask — serving up beer and competing for the pizza prize at Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria, 3011 E Speedway.

“Pizza Throwdown is an awesome event where a pizzaiolo like myself gets to showcase the love and passion for pizza. It’s also a chance to make the best pizza possible to represent your restaurant in the local community,� said Volpe, who is no stranger to pizza competitions.

In April, Volpe, a member of the United States Pizza Team’s acrobatics troupe, took home silver in the Freestyle Acrobatics category at the World Pizza Championship in Italy. it was his second time performing in the Parma, Italy, contest.

Pizza Throwdown is co-presented by Local First ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. Find more details at