Jason Samosky
American Pizza Champion, Second, Orlando – 2008
American Pizza Champion, Winner, Orlando – 2007
America's Plate, Third Place, International – 2007
America's Plate, Second Place, International – 2006
American Pizza Champion, Winner, Orlando – 2006
North American Pizza and Ice Cream Show, First Place – 2005
American Pizza Champion, Winner, New York – 2005
America's Plate, Second Place, International – 2005
Jason Samosky has been a member of U.S. Pizza Team since 2004, after winning the culinary competition at the American Pizza Championship at the New York Pizza Show. Jason grew up in Florida and currently resides in Valley City, Ohio, where he runs Samosky's Homestyle Pizzeria. Jason has been in this location for 7 years and in the industry for 8 years.
Jason believes that pizza is in his blood. With his family being in the bakery business since 1910, Jason feels he was destined to be in the food business. When he lived in Florida, he worked at the Swan and Dolphin Resort Hotel at Disney World and knew he wanted his own pizzeria in Ohio.
Jason's favorite part of being in the industry is independence, being able to create great pizzas, shop for the best ingredients and make people happy. His restaurant stands because of their family bakery, customer service and top-quality products.
Jason feels the best part of winning a spot on the team is knowing he has reached such a goal in a short amount of time. He is also proud that he has created a gourmet pizza that has won him a spot on the team twice. Jason was also on the 2005 U.S. Pizza Team and competed at the World Pizza Championships in Italy. He says he can't wait to return again this April to compete.
As a member of the U.S. Pizza team, Jason plans to use the experience to market the recognition that he has achieved with his pizza in all three of his competitions. His advice to other team hopefuls is to just be yourself and to not be intimidated by anyone.
Jason has appeared on many different local news shows, and been featured in the local newspaper and interviewed on the radio. He says that all of the publicity has tripled the business and traffic through his town. "I would like to thank PMQ for the opportunity to compete at such a level and be on the U.S. Pizza Team," he said
