Sure, Boston may not have the global pizza bonafides as their fellow Northeaster New York or even Midwest mainstay Chicago, but it's a town that knows good 'za, and how to do it well. That fact was clearly proven at this year's Best Pizza Awards, which took place on Wednesday, June 25 in Milan, Italy, celebrating the "sacred" art of pizza-making and recognizing the world's top pizza chefs. And one of those talented toques just happened to be one of Beantown's own.
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Back for its third year, the 2025 ceremony featured a global voting panel of 512 experts from 60 countries to "ensure transparency and eliminate commercial influence." And along with famed Italian pizzaiolos (they did invent the stuff, after all) like Francesco Martucci of I Masanielli, Franco Pepe of Pepe in Grani and Gabriele Bonci of Pizzarium in Rome, the top 100 selection also featured American-based pizza pros including Juan Gabriel Pérez of Posto in Somerville, MA (400 Assembly Row). Pérez also placed in the awards' 2023 and 2024 installments but hit a ranking high this year at No. 54 on the prestigious list.
"As Executive Chef at Posto Boston he’s praised for his creative flair, seasonal ingredients, and dough innovation," per the Best Pizza Awards. "With over a million followers worldwide, Juan blends tradition and modernity, earning a global reputation for craftsmanship and passion that honours pizza’s authentic roots."
That means mozzarella is handmade in house, produce is locally sourced, and each wood-fired pie is made according to guidelines laid out by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. The place is more than just a pizza joint—it’s a cozy Italian restaurant that works just as well for a first date as it does for a group dinner with friends.
And Posto is certainly in good pizza-loving company. "This year’s The Best Pizza Awards has captured the true spirit of pizza: timeless, yet constantly evolving; deeply rooted in tradition, yet always open to new ideas and innovations. Milan provided the perfect backdrop for this global celebration, a city that, like pizza itself, blends history and modernity at every turn," said Cristian Gadau, CEO of The Best Pizza Awards and The Best Chef Awards. "To witness the passion, dedication, and artistry of so many talented pizzaiolos gathered together has been profoundly inspiring. I am immensely proud of what our community continues to achieve and how these awards give a platform to those shaping the future of pizza worldwide."
You can check out the full list of 2025 Best Pizza Award winners here.