VOL 27 ISSUE 40, October 12, 2026
Main caption: Danilo Viazzo (center), winner of the People’s Choice award, celebrates with Naples Ristorante General Manager Jeff Miller (far right), Executive Chef Josh Frias (second from right) and members of the judging panel.
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Naples Ristorante e Bar invited guests to do more than just enjoy its signature Neapolitan-style pizza. The Patina Group restaurant, which has become a staple in the Downtown Disney District (Anaheim, Calif.) dining landscape, gave them the opportunity to help create it.
The inaugural Ultimate Slice Showdown invited pizza enthusiasts to submit original pizza recipes for the chance to see their creations featured at Naples and Napolini. Following a public submission process, the Naples culinary team selected five finalist pizzas that advanced to a live competition held Sept. 12.
Guests sampled each pizza while participating in People’s Choice voting, while a panel of food media and influencers evaluated entries based on creativity, flavor, presentation and overall appeal. Judges included Anne Marie Panoringan (Culture OC), Karina Soriano (L.A. Taco), Megan Powell (@themagicalmillennial_) and Erick Lopez (@beastlyappetite).
The event brought together guests, media, influencers and the Naples culinary team for an afternoon of tastings, live judging and community participation. The competition was supported by Ralph Lincoln, restaurant manager; Jeff Miller, general manager; Josh Frias, executive chef; Luis Fernando Novales Landeros, restaurant manager; Vanessa Garcia; Ramiro Diaz; and Dinorah Ramos, Patina Group’s West Coast marketing specialist.
The finalist pizzas included:
- Ultimate Slice Showdown Champion: Steakhouse Gorgonzola by Gerry Vance
- People’s Choice Award: Italian Classic by Danilo Viazzo
- Sausage & Spinach Classic by Russ Duszak
- The Greek Pizza by Emily Montag
- Fall Fig & Prosciutto by Jamie Viveiros
The Steakhouse Gorgonzola will be featured at Naples, while the remaining finalist pizzas will be showcased through a rotating menu program at Napolini, a quick-service location near Naples, through January.
