A much-loved Toronto pizza shop is getting its well-deserved flowers after ranking among the best in the world.
It was a big few days for Toronto’s pizza scene last week as the International Pizza Expo drew pizzaiolos, chefs and restaurateurs from around the world to Las Vegas for an annual celebration of the Italian treat no one can say no to.
Perhaps the biggest draw, the International Pizza Challenge, was a marquee event of the expo, seeing over 600 chefs from around the world go head-to-head for ultimate pizza glory.
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Toronto’s pizza scene that our city’s pizzaiolos showed up and showed out, earning some major recognition along the way.
First, Paul Guerra of Bloor West Village’s Gatto Wood Fire Pizza pulled in a ninth-place finish in the traditional pizza category. While it didn’t secure the pizza-hobbyist-turned-pizzaiolo a spot in the finals this year, it’s certainly nothing to snuff at.
As the expo went on, another hometown hero emerged victorious in his own respective categories, but this isn’t his first brush with glory.
Sotirios Tzakis, the chef behind Leslieville’s Descendant Detroit Style Pizza, also found success at the competition, placing fifth overall in the pan division and second in the world for Detroit-style pizza.
Not bad for a pizza shop that’s literally not even in Detroit.
If the name Sotirios Tzakis or the story of Descendant being a big-time winner feels familiar to you, that’s likely because he and his pizza shop also claimed the top prize at the 2024 Restaurants Canada Pizza Competition; a win that secured Sotirios’ candidacy at the international competition this last March.
“It was my first time there, and I didn’t know what to expect regarding access to equipment for making dough or preparing my toppings,” Sotirios tells me. “It was a valuable learning experience for me, and I believe I’ll be more prepared for next year.”
In Sotirios’ opinion, Descendant stands out with their incorporation of non-traditional toppings, ingredients, and various international cuisine influences on each pie, which, he says, is likely what helped the Queen East pizzeria secure the placement.
“Ultimately, I feel like we showcased what Toronto has to offer in the world of pizza,” Sotirios tells me.
“The judges hadn’t seen anything like our pie at the show before: mango chutney, curry, lime aioli, jerk chicken, and roti [the “Daddy’s Favourite”]—these toppings represent Toronto’s multiculturalism and Toronto’s pizza.”
While Sotirios is undoubtedly enjoying the recognition and praise that comes with such a win, it’s not time to rest on his laurels quite yet: the 2025 Restaurants Canada Show, which will host the annual National Pizza Competition to determine candidates at the 2026 International Pizza Expo is right around the corner on April 11 to 13.
Will Sotirios and Descendant Pizza secure a second-in-a-row first-place win? Much like when you order a pizza that has yet to be delivered, we’ll just have to eagerly wait.
You can try Descendant out for yourself at their Toronto locations in Leslieville and the Junction.
