From Naples to the Top: Maddaloni Pizza Master Crowned World's Best

From an Ape Car on London streets to the summit of world pizza. Michele Pascarella, originally from Maddaloni in the province of Caserta, has been crowned number one in the 50 Top Pizza World 2026 rankings with his pizzeria Napoli On The Road, as reported by the Luciano Pignataro Wine & Food Blog.

The diploma and the move to London

Pascarella's story begins in 2016, when he graduates from culinary school at the "G. Ferraris" Institute in Caserta. Just four days later he leaves for London for a study trip that was supposed to be brief: "I wanted to improve my English and then head to the United States," he explained. But the city holds him back, between meeting his partner and early jobs in local pizzerias.

From trike to pizzeria

In 2019 Pascarella decides to bring Neapolitan pizza a portafoglio to London: he buys a trike and starts working markets and squares. Success grows until he receives a letter from a lawyer representing the concessionaire company asking him to leave the space where he was working, despite having a proper contract. From that difficulty Napoli On The Road is born, the first proper pizzeria, opening in Chiswick. Curiously, in the same location from which he had been removed, Gordon Ramsay's street pizza concept later appeared.

Three locations and recognition

From Chiswick the business expands to Richmond and finally to Soho. In 2023 Pascarella is awarded Best Pizza Chef in Europe by 50 Top Pizza, and the mayor of Maddaloni presents him with a recognition plaque. International publications like The Times, The Independent and The New York Post dedicate coverage to his story. In 2025 his pizza "Ricordi d'infanzia" is elected Pizza of the Year.

First place in the world

Now 50 Top Pizza World 2026 consecrates him as the best pizzeria on the planet, a ranking confirmed also in the Europe 2026 standings. At the Soho location a tasting experience is active for 50 people per day, the first format of its kind offered in the United Kingdom, with a waiting list already in place as of November. Despite his success, no new openings are planned: the priority remains maintaining high quality across the three existing locations. And even today, as number one in the world, Pascarella continues to climb aboard his Ape Car.