Enrico Aguila, the well-known pizza chef and owner of Uncle Rico’s in Fort Myers, has gained national recognition once again, this time as a member of the United States Pizza Team. This honor was bestowed upon Aguila earlier this month, marking a significant milestone in his career.
“I’m really blessed and honored,” Aguila said. “It’s a huge honor for me to be able to represent the U.S. and Fort Myers.”
The U.S. Pizza Team, established 25 years ago, is composed of top pizza chefs and pizza acrobats who compete in both national and international events, including the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy. Aguila’s selection to the team came after being nominated by two Italian pizzaiolos who had visited his restaurant. Aguila reflected on their recognition, saying, “They must have seen something special in me.”
Aguila’s rise in the pizza world gained momentum in November, when he won first place in the traditional cheese pizza category at the Galbani Professional Pizza Cup in Orlando. It was his first competition, and he wasn’t even aware he had been entered. “I didn’t even know I was entered,” he recalled, noting that his wife Cira was the one who signed him up. “It was great for us, and for Southwest Florida.”
Aguila was also invited to join the Galbani team, an opportunity he eagerly accepted. “It’s really awesome,” he said.
As a member of the U.S. Pizza Team, Aguila looks forward to competing internationally. “Next month, I’ll be in Las Vegas for the International Pizza Challenge,” he shared. “I’ll represent the U.S. team and Uncle Rico’s. I hope to do well there, but I don’t go to win. I go to learn new techniques, build connections, and have fun.”
He plans to compete in the best cheese slice and traditional two-topping categories, staying true to the products he serves at Uncle Rico’s. “You have to stay true to yourself and stay humble,” Aguila explained. “We’re just going to do our thing.”
Aguila and his wife opened Uncle Rico’s in Fort Myers on March 22, 2022, and the small shop has quickly become a local favorite. Within a year, it made Yelp’s list of the top 100 restaurants in Florida, and just six months later, The Washington Post ranked its New York-style pies as the third best in the state.
Since then, Uncle Rico’s has expanded, adding two double-stack ovens and hiring more staff, including one of their ten children. However, Aguila emphasized that despite their growth, they remain committed to their location. “We’re not going to leave this place,” he said. “The community has embraced us with open arms. It’s now a pizza destination. People come from Miami, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Bonita, Naples. Like I said, we’re just doing our thing.”
While being selected for the U.S. Pizza Team is a highlight of his career, Aguila remains humble and focused on his passion for pizza. His official chef coat is expected in March, but he insists that the honor of representing his community and his craft is what truly matters.
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