WASHINGTON — A group of pizza makers, politicians, and community leaders left Tweed New Haven Airport on Wednesday for Washington, DC. Their mission? To claim the top spot on the pizza pyramid.
The trip was organized by Colin Caplan, a self-proclaimed pizza guru and owner of the popular “Taste of New Haven Food Tours.”
Arriving in Washington by an Avelo Airlines charter flight, the group of about 110 made their way to the Capitol where they were greeted by Congresswoman Rosa Delauro, who represents New Haven – known for its New Haven style apizza.
Delauro said, “we are here to declare New Haven as the pizza capital of the United States!”
DeLauro’s declaration was added to the Congressional Record.
With cheers from the crowd from the steps of the Capitol, Caplan said, “this will be read on the floor and it will be a permanent record in the Library of Congress.”
As part of the Connecticut contingent, Jennifer Kelly, the granddaughter of Frank Pepe and a current owner of the famed Frank Pepe’s Pizza Napoletana said, “this is a joyous day to have all these Connecticut restaurants in Connecticut pizza restaurants and to come together as a family because we are a family.”
No surprise that all involved in declaring their pizza superiority from Connecticut scoffed at any debate that New York makes a better pie.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said, “It’s important for us to be here to formally acknowledge that New Haven has the best pizza.”
Caplan then added, “This is an epic day, it’s an epic day for New Haven, it’s an epic day for Connecticut.”
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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