Enrico Aguila had never entered a pizza competition in his 26 years in the business.
His wife, Cira, decided to change that and signed him up for the Galbani Professional Pizza Cup on Nov. 6-7 in Orlando.
After all, her husband is Uncle Rico, as in Uncle Rico’s Pizza in Fort Myers, and his pies are some of the most popular around.
“I didn’t know I was entering until Cira told me I was,” Enrico said. “I was bitching and moaning about it for a month. Even on the drive to Orlando I was still complaining.”
Turns out, Cira knew what she was doing.
Enrico won first overall in the traditional best cheese pizza category.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I was going against pizza champions and national pizza team members. They had endorsement patches on their shirts. I was there in my Uncle Rico’s shirt.”
“It wasn’t even a new one,” Cira added.
His pizza spoke for itself.
“I was so nervous waiting behind the curtain (for his turn),” Enrico said. “But as soon as my hands hit the dough, the nervousness left. This is what I do.”