In celebration of Women’s Pizza Month, five talented aspiring female pizzaiolas receive scholarships for an intensive Master Pizza Seminar at Pizza University, fostering the next generation of women in the industry.
Scholarships Awarded to Five Aspiring Female Pizzaiolas
Lodi, Calif. – 17 July 2024
In an initiative coinciding with Women’s Pizza Month, Corto Olive Co., Stanislaus Tomatoes, Pizza University, and Women’s Pizza Month founder Christy Alia collaborated to provide scholarships aimed at encouraging female pizzaiolas. Five aspiring home pizza makers have been awarded scholarships for an intensive Master Pizza Seminar at Pizza University in Baltimore, MD.
The winners—selected based on their craft quality, ambition, inspiration, and support for women in the pizza industry—were announced today.
Meet the Scholarship Recipients
Lorena Asidao-Spence, from Atlanta, manages a pizza pop-up/catering business and an Italian bakery specialising in Roman-style pinsas. Part of the local food community, Asidao-Spence plans to open a permanent location that showcases diverse ingredients reflecting her culture.
Queens’ resident Natalie deSabato, owner of pop-up Traze, has gained national attention for her creative approach to pizza toppings. Her childhood experience of enjoying her grandmother’s pan pizzas has driven her passion for elevating pizza-making.
Alexa Grecco from Staten Island has been lending her pizzaiola skills to various local pop-ups. She aspires to establish a permanent eatery where patrons can leave “with a full stomach and a full heart.”
Angelique Rickhoff, based in Battle Creek, Michigan, transitioned from a 20-year corporate career to working on a pizza project with a local brewery. Rickhoff is focused on developing sophisticated flavour profiles to enhance her community’s culinary offerings.
Nashville’s Diana Lee Zadlo, a food stylist and recipe developer, fell in love with pizza at a Pizza Expo while part-owner of a vegan food brand. She now aims to add pizza store ownership to her professional portfolio.
Women’s Pizza Month Initiative
“We had such great candidates for the pizza scholarship, and I’m excited about the future of these women and the pizza industry with more women participating. These deserving winners are trailblazers, and it’s an honour to support their dreams and help pave the way for more women to thrive in the world of pizza,” remarked Christy Alia, Founder of Women’s Pizza Month.
In March, alongside the scholarship announcement, Corto and Stanislaus launched a limited-edition “For the Love of Pizza” kit. This initiative, which involved a team of talented women and several women-owned agencies, brought professional-grade pizza ingredients to home pizza makers. The kit quickly sold out, demonstrating strong interest and support for home-based pizzaiolas.
Amy Hsiao, Corto Olive Co.’s head of marketing, expressed enthusiasm for the recipients’ future contributions to the pizza community, stating, “We can’t wait to see what these fellow change-makers accomplish as they continue to elevate the craft of pizza in their communities and beyond.”
ABOUT CORTO OLIVE CO.
Corto Olive Co., rooted in its Italian heritage and committed to producing high-quality, fresh olive oil, has provided chefs with premium options since 2005. Their varieties include TRULY® 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil and La Padella® Sauté Oil. They also produce an award-winning limited-edition Agrumato-Method oil yearly.
ABOUT STANISLAUS FOOD PRODUCTS
Stanislaus Food Products has, for over 80 years, set the standard in fresh-packing superior Italian-style tomatoes and sauces for North America’s premier Italian restaurants and pizzerias.
Photos accompanying this announcement can be viewed online.