After facing a series of travel hiccups, Enrico Aguila, known to locals as “Uncle Rico,” emerged as one of the top contenders at the 2025 International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. His cheese slice was ranked third best in the Southeast U.S., solidifying his reputation in the competitive pizza world.
“It feels amazing,” Aguila said, reflecting on the recognition. “What a great experience. I’m humbled and grateful, even if jet lag is catching up with me.”
Aguila, along with his wife Cira, left for the competition with dough in hand on March 24. However, their journey was far from smooth. Their flight from Southwest Florida International Airport was delayed by an hour, followed by another delay in Dallas. The couple arrived late, missing the scheduled 4 p.m. meeting where competitors were to store their dough on-site.
“By the time we got there, it was about 5:45 p.m.,” Cira explained. “We had to store our dough in the hotel’s mini-fridge.”
The challenges didn’t end there. The morning of the competition, the Aguilas faced another setback.
“We didn’t have our passes, so they wouldn’t let us in,” Cira added. Despite these early obstacles, everything was eventually sorted out, and Aguila was among the first to compete on March 25.
Aguila’s journey to the competition started months earlier with a victory at the Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup in Orlando, where he claimed first place in the traditional cheese pizza category. “It was a lot of pressure,” Aguila noted. “But now I’m having fun. I don’t focus on the outcomes—I go to see colleagues, meet new people, and learn.”
Aguila is a proud member of the U.S. Pizza Team and the Galbani Professionale team. Looking ahead, he is preparing for upcoming competitions, including events in California this August and Orlando in November, with hopes to travel to Italy next January.
At the Las Vegas event, with over 600 competitors, Aguila chose to compete in the “best slice” category. His efforts paid off, as he ranked among the top pizza makers in the Southeast.
“I win every day,” he said, reflecting on his success. “It may sound corny, but I win every day my doors are open, and I get to serve great pizza in Fort Myers.”
Despite the whirlwind experience in Las Vegas, Aguila was back at his Fort Myers shop, Uncle Rico’s, by 9 a.m. on Friday, ready to continue sharing his passion for pizza with his community. Visit them at 2960 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, and meet Enrico and Cira—they’re sure to be there.
Related topic:
- Asian Restaurant Brings Malatang Trend to Dallas
- Caprinos Pizza Opens New Branch in Wymondham
- Oakville Pizza Closes After Over Two Decades of Service
