Toronto man ranked one of the top pizza chefs in the world

The mastermind behind one of Toronto’s best pizzerias was just ranked as one of the top pizza chefs in the world.

A person’s pizza preferences are like a snowflake; no two are quite the same, but there’s one pizza joint in Toronto that almost everyone can agree is among the best of the best: Pizzeria Badiali.

Despite only being on the scene for around three years, Badiali, created by El Rey co-owners Nick Halligan and Owen Walker alongside Chef Ryan Baddeley has quickly garnered and maintained a cult following around the city thanks to their New York-style pies crafted with quality Italian ingredients — but the pizzeria hasn’t only been getting local attention.

On Sept. 30, the Best Chef Awards announced their 2024 picks for the top pizza chefs around the world and, it may come as no surprise to those who have dined at Badiali before, Ryan Baddeley made an appearance on the list.

The only Canadian chef and pizzeria to make it on the list, Baddeley ranks in at number 32, sandwiched between Italy’s Roberta Esposito (La Contrada) at 31 and Ciro Oliva (Concettina Ai Tre Santi) at 33.

In first place is, appropriately, another Italian chef; multiple award-winner Franco Pepe of Pepe in Grani.

If you haven’t gotten the chance to pick up a pie at Badiali yet, let me be the first to tell you that braving the ever-present line around their Dovercourt brick-and-mortar is absolutely worth it, but there’ll also soon be another chance to get your hands on a slice.

Pizzeria Badiali has a second location in the works, set to take on a space at the Mirvish Village development at Bloor and Bathurst. While no opening date has been confirmed for the spot, it’s only fair to assume that it, too, will become one of the city’s most celebrated spots for pizza.

Pizzeria Badiali is located at 181 Dovercourt.