World's best pizza chef who is based in London reveals his secrets for creating the perfect slice and the topping mistakes to avoid - as his UK chain beats Italians at their own game

The world's best pizza chef has revealed his secrets to crafting the ultimate slice – after his west London chain took home the top prize at the 'Oscars for pizza'.Napoli on the Road, which has restaurants in Chiswick, Richmond and Soho, became the first British entrant to take the top spot at the prestigious 50 Top Pizza awards.The restaurant's founder and chef Michele Pascarella, 34, was awarded the 'ultimate honour' in Naples, the birthplace of the Italian dish.The London chain became the first British entrant to beat a number of Italian pizzerias at their own game based on the quality of food and overall dining experience – in the tenth year of the prestigious competition.Mr Pascarella learnt how to make pizza while growing up in Caserta, near Naples, before moving to the UK when he was 19. In 2023, he was named global pizza maker of the year.Thankfully, the 'pioneer of contemporary pizza' has revealed his hidden secrets for crafting the most delicious pizza slice – including the correct ingredients, condiments and which unusual toppings should be avoided at all costs.He previously told the Daily Mail: 'I believe there is no perfection in making pizza and I think that's the beauty about this job, because it's an artisan work.'However, you can get close to the perfection by working hard and being flexible during all the processes, because ours is artisan job and you must be ready to accept changes in temperatures, flours and techniques every day to keep the quality at the top, improve your choices and evolve.' The world's best pizza chef Michele Pascarella (pictured) has revealed his secrets for crafting the ultimate slice - after his west London chain took home the top prize at the 'Oscars for pizza' Napoli on the Road, which has restaurants in Chiswick, Richmond and Soho, became the first British entrant to take the top spot at the prestigious 50 Top Pizza awards The London chain became the first British entrant to beat a number of Italian pizzeria's at their own game based on the quality of food and overall dining experienceMr Pascarella added that while Britons adore pizza, there are several key 'mistakes' to avoid making when enjoying your first bite. He explained that 'overloading' your slice with 'too many toppings' can make it 'difficult to enjoy the base' and ruin the overall dining experience. 'Using a knife and fork instead of eating it with their hands and not pairing it with a suitable beverage,' are also key flaws when it comes to treating yourself to a pizza – according to Mr Pascarella. And while chili oil may be all the rage, the award-winning chef advises against adding it everywhere – noting that it can overwhelm the taste buds. He added that avoiding overworking the dough and embracing 'seasonal ingredients' are also underrated advantages for crafting the most supreme pizza. 'Being seasonal can be an advantage for a restaurant, for various important things like, freshness and flavour - seasonal products are often harvested at the right time, resulting in better taste and quality.'When it comes to toppings, however, Mr Pascarella advises being cautious around mixing a range of eccentric food items together. 'There are so many toppings you can add on a pizza, the most important thing is knowing how to balance the ingredients on the pizza well,' he said. 'Try to create balance and taste at the same time without exaggerating with excessive tastes. Obviously don't add pineapple to any pizza.'Ultimately, however, he noted that the greatest misconception any pizza-lover can make is that the delightful cuisine is better in Italy. 'While Italy is renowned for its authentic Italian food and pizza, you can find excellent Italian cuisine and pizza in many places around the world,' he said.'Many talented chefs and restaurants outside of Italy take great pride in offering high-quality Italian dishes and pizza. The 'pioneer of contemporary pizza' has revealed his hidden secrets for crafting the most delicious pizza slice - including the correct ingredients, condiments and which unusual toppings should be avoided at all costs Mr Pascarella said that while Britons adore pizza, there are several key 'mistakes' to avoid making when enjoying your first bite (Pictured: Michele Pascarella and David Beckham) 'Using a knife and fork instead of eating it with their hands and not pairing it with a suitable beverage,' are also key flaws when it comes to treating yourself to a pizza - according to Mr Pascarella'This international appreciation has led to a diverse range of flavours and styles that cater to different tastes, making Italian food a beloved culinary choice worldwide.'Napoli on the Road is known for its margherita as well as creations including the 'Cheesewick', topped with five types of Italian cheese and homemade tomato jam.The pizzeria's focus is on experimentation and innovation, utilising high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to create distinctively delicious flavour combinations.Mr Pascarella started his business by wandering around with his three-wheeler Ape Piaggio making wood fire pizzas all over London.His renowned pizzeria is the first in the UK to use seasonal ingredients and change their menu every three months to respect the environment and what nature offers. The innovative dishes on Napoli on the Road's seasonal menu are thoughtfully designed to highlight the unique characteristics of each ingredient. Napoli on the Road's victory saw an end to the dominance of I Masanielli, a pizzeria in Caserta run by Francesco Martucci.It had won the title in six of the previous seven years but dropped to joint fourth place this year.Mr Martucci said he had no hard feelings about losing out to a pizzeria based outside Italy.'Pizza today is a child of the world, you don't have to be in Naples or Caserta to produce the best,' he said.He added that Mr Pascarella's Caserta roots showed how people from the area had been able to move abroad and still produce world-beating pizza.Napoli on the Road has grown from a food van into three bricks-and-mortar restaurants in the capital.But despite its success, Mr Pascarella said he has no interest in expanding it into a larger chain, saying he wants to maintain the quality of his pizzas and continue getting to know his customers. Two other British pizzerias also made the global rankings: 50 Kalò in Westminster came 23rd (pictured). Located just a few steps away from Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross, 50 Kalò is one of only six pizzerias to have been included in Italy's Michelin Guide Stile Napoletano in Chester was ranked 74th. Founded in 2018 by Giacomo Guido, promises 'tasty and light Neapolitan style pizzas using pure, organic ingredients from Italy' Its slow-fermented dough features 'leopard spotting' from wood fire cooking, while its founder has been praised for bringing true Neapolitan technique to the north of EnglandTwo other British pizzerias also made the global rankings: 50 Kalò in Westminster came 23rd, while Stile Napoletano in Chester was ranked 74th. Located just a few steps away from Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross, 50 Kalò is one of only six pizzerias to have been included in Italy's Michelin Guide.Its name, '50', represents the dough ball, while 'Kalò' is a word with origins in ancient Greek slang used by pizzamakers to mean 'good'. Meanwhile, Chester's Stile Napoletano, founded in 2018 by Giacomo Guido, promises 'tasty and light Neapolitan style pizzas using pure, organic ingredients from Italy'.Its slow-fermented dough features 'leopard spotting' from wood fire cooking, while its founder has been praised for bringing true Neapolitan technique to the north of England. Ultimately, Italy had the most restaurants on the list with 31, followed by the US with 22.Of these, Seu Pizza Illuminati in Rome and I Masanielli in Caserta took home joint fourth place, with Napoli on the Road's victory ending the dominance of I Masanielli, a pizzeria in Caserta run by Francesco Martucci.San Francisco's Tony's Pizza Napoletana took home joint fifth place with Los Angeles' Pizzeria Sei. However, New York was the most represented city with seven entries, followed by Naples with six and São Paulo with five.Restaurants from 36 countries made this year's list, including Vietnam, North Macedonia, Croatia and Japan.Tokyo's RistoPizza is famous for its signature star-shaped pizza with a ricotta and salami-stuffed crust, while the Pizza Bar on 38th offers a luxury eight-seat marble counter experience on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in the heart of the city. 50 Top Pizza World 2026 - Full List 1. Napoli On The Road - London, UK2. Una Pizza Napoletana - New York, US3. Confine - Milan, Itlay4. I Masanielli - Francesco Martucci - Caserta, Italy (Joint 4th)4. Seu Pizza Illuminati - Rome, Italy (Joint 4th)5. Pizzeria Sei - LA, US (Joint 5th)5. Tony's Pizza Napoletana - San Francisco, US (Joint 5th)6. Leggera Pizza Napoletana - Sao Paulo, Brazil7. RistoPizza By Napoli Sta Ca - Tokyo, Japan8. Baldoria - Madrid, Spain9. The Pizza Bar On 38th - Tokyo, Japan10. Razza - Jersey City, US11. Alleria - Providencia, Chile12. Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria - Naples, Italy13. I Tigli - San Bonifacio, Italy14. 50 Kalò - Naples, Italy15. Avenidca Calo - Rome, Italy16. Gigi's - Sydney, Australia (Joint 16th)16. Fiata - Hong Kong, China (Joint 16th)17. Pizzardi Artiginale - Bogota, Columbia (Joint 17th)17. QT Pizza Bar - Sao Paulo, Brazil (Joint 17th)18. Dry Milano - Milan, Italy19. Cambia-Menti - Caserta, Italy20. Sasa Martucci - Caserta, Italy21. BOB Alchima A Spicchi - Montepaone Lido, Italy22. IMperfetto - Puteaux, France23. 50 Kalò - London, UK24. Ti Amo - Adrogue, Argentina25. La Clásica - San Salvador, El Salvador 26. Truly Pizza - Dana Point, US27. Francesco Martucci Miami - Miami, Florida28. Spacca Napoli - Seoul, South Korea29. Sartoria Panatieri - Barcelona, Spain30. Don Antonio - New York, US31. Crosta - Makati, Phillipines32. Jay's - Kenmore, US33. Pizza Zulu - Furth, Germany34. Massilia - Bangkok Thailand35. Robert's - Chicago, US (Joint 35th)35. Ribalta - New York, US (Joint 35th)36. NNea - Amsterdam, Netherlands37. Flama - Miraflores, Peru38. Leña - Cleveland, US39. Sapori Italiani U Taliana - Bratislava, Slovakia40. La Cascina Dei Sapori - Rome, Italy41. A Pizza Da Mooca - Sao Paulo, Brazil42. SHOP225 - Melbourne, Australia43. La Notizia - Naples, Italy44. Ken's Artisan Pizza - Portland, US45. Pizzeria Braceria CESARI!! - Nagoya, Japan46. Unica Pizzeria - Sao Paulo, Brazil47. La Leggenda - Miami, US (Joint 47th)47. 'O Munaciello - Miami, US (Joint 47th)48. A Mano - Makati, Phillipines49. Forno D'Oro - Lisbon, Portugal50. Bottega - Beijing, China 51. Portarossa - Pampatar, Venezuela52. Via Toledo - Vienna, Austria53. Sestogusto - Turin, Italy54. Clementina - Fiumicino, Italy55. La Bolla - Caserta, Italy56. Giuseppe Bove - Montesarchio, Italy 57. L'Incanto - Punta Del Este, Uruguary58. 180 GRAMMI - Rome, Italy59. La Fenice - Pistoia, Italy60. Modus - Milan, Italy61. I Vesuviani - Casoria, Italy62. Da Lioniello - Succivo, Italy63. Apogeo - Pietrasanta, Italy64. Da Susy - Gurugram, India65. Bro. - Naples, Italy66. Salvo - Naples, Italy67. 'O Fiore Mio - Faenza, Italy68. Raf Bonetta - Naples, Italy69. Fratelli Figurato - Madrid, Spain70. Bento Pizzeria - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Joint 70th)70. Raffaella - Las Condes, Chile (Joint 70th)71. L'industrie Pizzeria - New York, US72. Margherí - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam73. Surt - Copenhagen, Denmark74. Stile Napoletano - Chester, UK75. Veridiana - Sao Paulo, Brazil 76. Oura - Santiago De Compostela - Spaine77. Dante's By Enis Baçova - Auckland, New Zealand78. La Piola Pizza - Brussels, Belguim79. 48th Pizza E Gnocchi Bar - Melbourne, Australia80. Pizza Culture - Calgary, Canada81. ANTO - Singapore, Singapore82. Brunapoli - Vitacura, Chile83. Bilbao, Spain84. Atte. Pizza Napoletana - Buenos Aires, Argentina85. Saccharum - Altavilla Milicia, Italy86. Valentina's - Madison, US87. Balmesina - Barcelona, Spain88. Giotto - Florence, Italy89. Seba's - Uvita, Costa Rica90. Stretch Pizza - New York, US 91. Gigi Papa - Este, Italy92. Audace - New York, US93. Zielona Górka - Pabianice, Poland94. Giangi - Arielli, Italy95. Pasquale's - South Kingstown, US (Joint 95th)95. Pizza Secret - New York, US (Joint 95th)96. Slice & Pie - Washington, US97. Matto Napoletano - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia98. Franko's Pizza & Bar - Zagreb, Croatia99. Stagione - Casablanca, Morocco100. Miami Slice - Miami, US