FROM REDDING TO THE NATIONAL STAGE...

A local pizza maker just put Redding on the map at a national pizza competition.

Augie Collins, general manager of Noni’s Pizzeria and Slice Shop inside the Redding Public Market in downtown Redding, recently traveled more than 2,000 miles to Columbus, Ohio, to compete in the Great American Pizza Challenge at Pizza Expo Columbus.

Collins went up against 25 other competitors and came away with an impressive fifth-place finish.

But getting there didn't exactly go according to plan.

Collins had planned to use a vodka sauce on his competition pizza. On the day of the competition, he learned that wasn't allowed and that he would have to use a traditional red sauce instead.

So he adjusted on the fly, made a fresh batch of sauce that morning and still finished fifth.

“On the day of the competition, I found out that we couldn’t use vodka sauce; it had to be a strict red sauce. I ended up making a fresh batch that morning, and we still placed fifth. I’m confident we can finish in the top three next time,” Collins told KRCR.

The Great American Pizza Challenge was held October 11th and 12th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and brought together professional pizza makers from across the country.

For Collins, fifth place isn't where he plans to stop.

He is already looking ahead to his next competition and believes he can break into the top three.

Pretty cool to see someone from right here in Redding representing the North State on the national stage.

Congratulations Augie and Noni’s Pizzeria!