Domino’s Pizza Inc., the largest pizza company in the world, has awarded the 2024 World’s Fastest Pizza Maker title to Joana Mendes. The competition took place on May 8, 2024, at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, where top competitors from around the globe gathered. Mendes, an assistant manager at Domino’s in Ipswich, England, made history by becoming the first woman to win this title, completing three large pizzas in a record-breaking 39.2 seconds. Her prize included $5,000, a trophy, a championship belt, and the prestigious title, which was presented by Domino’s Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner.
Joana Mendes expressed her joy and dedication, stating that this achievement was the result of two years of rigorous training. She had previously won the United Kingdom’s Fastest Pizza Maker competition and aimed to become the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker. Mendes credited her success to the support and guidance of her team.
The competition’s finalists, representing Domino’s stores worldwide, showcased their pizza-making skills by preparing three large pizzas—one pepperoni, one mushroom, and one cheese. The process involved hand-stretching the dough, saucing, and placing toppings as quickly as possible. While speed was a critical factor, the quality of the pizzas was also essential. Two judges evaluated the contestants on dough and sauce preparation, topping portioning, and placement.
Frank Garrido, Domino’s executive vice president and chief restaurant officer, highlighted the significance of the competition, emphasizing the competitors’ impressive speed and precision. He noted that the event celebrates the exceptional skills of Domino’s pizza makers and the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality pizzas efficiently.
The World’s Fastest Pizza Maker competition, initiated by Domino’s in 1982, aims to honor pizza makers who exemplify the company’s philosophy of maintaining efficiency in the store to ensure timely pizza delivery. Mendes began her career with Domino’s in 2015 as a customer service representative. She currently works for Domino’s Pizza Group, the master franchise in the United Kingdom, and was mentored by Pali Grewal, a renowned franchisee who won the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker title in 2010, 2012, and 2014.