Ninth annual Pizza Challenge goes off without a hitch

Reps. Patrick Corey, Jess Fay and Mark Bryant taste testing
the pizza with Rotarian George Bartlett

Did you know that pizza is one of the most popular comfort foods and a go-to staple for quick, family-friendly meals? Statistics show that 93 percent of Americans eat at least one piece of pizza per month. Five billion pizzas are sold worldwide each year, and the United States accounts for three billion of those pizzas. The average person will eat 46 slices of pizza each year. Perhaps this is the reason locals look forward to the annual Pizza Challenge hosted by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club every year in late May.

Last Thursday, May 23 approximately 300 people attended the ninth annual Pizza Challenge. Attendees enjoyed pizza tastings from local restaurants and had a blast socializing while raising money for the club. While some of the money is used for discretionary giving, this is the one and only event which raises funds for the operations of the club.

It was a friendly rivalry among the local eateries and they all showcased their best that evening. The winner taking the title of “Best Pizza” and “Most Creative” was Beacon Pizza of Raymond. Erik's Church won “Best Meat Pizza” and Franco's Bistro won “Best Crust”.

The rotary would like to extend a big thank you to all that attended and supported the event along with the participating stores, restaurants and pizza places which included: Franco’s Bistro, The Beacon Pizza, Pizza Hut, Sunset Variety, Erik’s Church, Pat’s Pizza, Dominoes, Corsetti’s Westbrook and The Deck House.

Please be sure to support these local businesses while getting your monthly, weekly or even daily pizza fix. It is because of them that events like this are possible. Owning a business is tough and to take time out of their already busy schedules to support organizations like the Sebago Lake Rotary Club as well as many others is invaluable to our community.