Despite a hot, humid night, hungry crowds stormed the Addison Village Green Tuesday night, as more than 1,500 area residents came out to sample the best pizza Addison has to offer, at the 5th Annual “Addison By the Slice” Pizza Bakeoff.

Presented by Comcast, crowds enjoyed the sounds of Rico! and the Limited Edition Big Band and visited with Crime Prevention Officers from the Addison Police Department during National Night Out.

But it the was the opportunity to sample pizza from six different local pizza kitchens that once again drew the crowds, who were then given the opportunity to vote for the best pizza, in the “People’s Choice Award.”

Four judges also gave out awards in seven categories during a blind taste test inside Village Hall.

The winners were:

	Best Pizza Sauce – John’s Pizza, 100 E. Lake Street
	Best Cheese Pizza – John’s Pizza
	Best Sausage Pizza – Pyramid Club, 236 W. Lake Street
	Best Deep Dish/Stuffed Pizza – John’s Pizza
	Best Thin Crust Pizza – Johni’s Pizza
	Best Specialty Pizza – TIE – John’s Pizza, and Giordano’s, 1323 W. Lake Street
	Judge’s Choice – John’s Pizza

Attendees determined the final award by casting ballots throughout the evening. For the 5th consecutive year, the People’s Choice was awarded to Nardi’s Tower of Pizza, 23 N. Addison Road.

Contest judges were:

	Deborah Pankey – food columnist for the Daily Herald newspaper
	Laura LaRocca – columnist for the Addison Press newspaper, and host of the Addison Community Television show “Something to Wine About”
	Miss Addison 2005 Michelle VadeBonCoeur
	Francesca Rinella – owner, I’Gemelli Ristorante

“Addison By the Slice” is sponsored by the Village of Addison, as part of a series of weekly themed food fests. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Midwest Bank & Trust will present an “All American Picnic,” featuring the music of Charissa Mrowka and the Limited Edition Big Band.

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