Surfside serves up a saucy success

Alexia+Marnoto+and+Sophia+Pata+at+the+tenth+annual+pizza+taste+off

Jenna Taormina

Alexia Marnoto and Sophia Pata at the tenth annual pizza taste off

RACHEL VINCENT and JENNA TAORMINA

For the first time in its ten year history, Surfside Pizza and Subs took home a win in all three categories at the 10th annual pizza taste off competition.

The voting was split into three categories- best crust, best sauce, and best overall. Surfside Pizza and Subs took home 46 and 44 votes in the best overall category and best crust category, respectively, beating out second place winner, Sebastian’s Pizza, by more than twenty votes in each category.

They marginally won the Best Sauce category, however, beating Mike’s Place by only one vote. Last year, Captain Hook’s took home wins in the best crust and best overall category, while Sebastian’s Pizza brought home the award for best sauce.

The Gloucester High School Interact Club hosted the event on Wednesday and all money will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Tickets sold out less than an hour into the event, and more than 300 people showed up to sample this classic favorite from some of the best restaurants in the area.

“Since the pizza was donated,” said co-president Karissa Murray, “a lot more of the money was able to go towards the American Cancer Society, which really helped us out.”

Pizzas were donated from restaurants all over Cape Ann, including Captain Hooks, Papa Gino’s, Domino’s, Sebastian’s Pizza, Maria’s Pizza, Poseidon’s, Cape Ann Pizza, Press, Surfside Pizza and Subs, and Mike’s Place.

“A lot of people came to support the cause for the American Cancer Society which was really great to see,” said board member Maria Kotob. “The atmosphere was all around really positive, I had a great time working it.”