Pizza, it has been eaten in the last week in Quebec! The first edition of Pizza Fest ended on Sept. 17: seven full days in which pizza was honored in Montreal, Quebec and Sherbrooke simultaneously.

There is no need to say that Quebec has real pizza lovers. "Pizza is a gathering place," says Mathieu Fortin, founder of Pizza Fest, who is very satisfied with this first edition. The response has been excellent on the web. "Many participants shared their pizza moment on social media."

Hundreds of pizzas delivered
To celebrate the Pizza Fest, Énergie 94.3 offered a great competition to its listeners. Every day, a winner would win pizza for her and all her colleagues at lunchtime. A promotion that made a lot of happy, especially since the delivery of pizza in company was carried out by the animators and the team of Pizza Fest.

From originality to the menu
During the week, the restorers had to propose an original creation that would be available during the festival only. "The Pizza Fest should really last longer, there are too many nice pizzas to try," says Amina Khaos, a pizza enthusiast. In fact, the variety was there: pizzas vegans, carnivores, gourmets "We even had an elk pizza in Quebec City at the Chef's Pizza restaurant," says the organizer, proud.

The concept of special pizzas was a great success. "People were curious to taste our creation! "Says Penelope Lachapelle of Nina, a Neapolitan pizza in Quebec City. "We put an extra page in our menu to explain to our customers that it was our pizza and to invite them to tag their pizza. Carciofo and Prosciutto Cotto were put into the race, packed with tomatoes, black olives, ham with rosemary, parmesan, artichokes and fresh mozza. "Many are asking us to put it on the menu all the time," she adds.

The Pizza Fest continues
Even if the tasting week for the participants is over, the Pizza Fest continues, as it remains to determine the winner. To do this, things are taken seriously. Over the coming weeks, the 5 judges will visit the 56 participating restaurants to taste the original creations of each and then deliberate. This is where the old Quebec-Montreal rivalry will be able to relive. Which city will have the best pizza? You can also follow the competition on the Pizza Fest website where videos will be available!

2nd edition
Of course, this is a first edition and as the first time, there will be adjustments. "Next year, we will develop Quebec and Sherbrooke more," says Mathieu Fortin, because for this first, the promotion was more focused on Montreal. The website will also be renewed and a comprehensive map of places will be proposed. Promotional material will also be available for real fans! Under the recommendations of the participants and the restaurateurs, Pizza Fest will return next year in a longer formula, that is to say 10 days rather than 7. The bet is however gained: the participants embarked with feet joined in the adventure and in wanting more. "Really a great idea the Pizza Fest, it would be so good if you had a specific place next year outside for the whole family!" Suggested Sébastien Lareau, a happy participant.

Who knows, perhaps? To be continued…