'Pizzapalooza' competition set for Troy

November 7, 2:52 PMUpstate NY Restaurant ExaminerBill Dowd

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TROY, NY -- Pizza has come so far since, say, the 1970s when it was essentially no more than dough, cheese and red sauce.

Local chefs will be showing just how far when  they compete for top honors in the  "Pizzapalooza," set for Tuesday, November 10.

The second annual event is a fundraiser for the Troy Boys & Girls Club. It will be held at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom on Campbell Avenue near Hudson Valley Community College.

The gourmet pizza tasting event challenges local culinary teams to make the best, and most imaginative,  pies possible. They'll aim for top votes in the "People's Choice" category as well as from professional food critics such as Steve Barnes of the Albany Times Union and yours truly.

Last year’s entries included General Tso’s Chicken Pizza, Roasted Garlic Shrimp and White Bean Pizza, Lasagna Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Ahi Tuna Pizza, and the award-winning Lobster Thermidor Pizza. Categories are Best Traditional (Thin Crust – Red Sauce), Best Traditional (Thick Crust - Red Sauce),  Best White Pizza, Most Creative and Best Overall. Among early entries this year are teams from The Arlington House, Baba Louie’s Woodfired Organic Pizza, Bacchus, Buca di Beppo, Carol’s Place, DeFazio’s, Roman Pizza, Second Avenue Pizza,  Minissale’s Wine Cellar Café and Villa Valenti Pub.

General admission tickets are $25 in advance. Call Sharon Smith for details at (518) 274-3781 or inquire via e-mail.

Other food events set for Upstate:

• Poughkeepsie wine and food fest Sunday

• Hudson kitchen tour goes behind scene

• Details emerge for Upstate's first Harvest Fest