Something unexpected just happened in the world of frozen pizza. It was not a classic margherita or a pepperoni-loaded favorite that stole the spotlight. Instead, a surprising ingredient—one more commonly found in Japanese cuisine—helped a family-owned company take home the Grand Prize at one of the biggest specialty food competitions in the country.
At the 49th Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas in late January, pi00a’s Frozen Miso Eggplant Pizza won the Specialty Food Association’s Fancy Face-Off Pitch Competition, beating out more than 50 competitors.
Pi00a was among four finalists selected to pitch their new-to-market products to the judges, who included industry experts from Whole Foods, Thrive Market, and Houlihan Lokey. Entries were evaluated based on five criteria: innovation, ingredient quality, market potential, pitch, and taste.
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In the end, it was pi00a’s handcrafted, 10-inch frozen pizza that stood out. The combination of savory miso sauce, maple syrup, and roasted eggplant on a Neapolitan-style crust offered a unique take on frozen pizza, setting it apart from the competition.
“This is an amazing feeling to be recognized for our product. Thank you for everything SFA!” said Melody Stein, co-founder of pi00a.
Following the win, Stein accepted the Grand Prize, which included $10,000 in cash, a booth at the 2026 Winter Fancy Food Show, and additional business support.
“Congratulations to Melody Stein on her Grand Prize win – well deserved!” said Bill Lynch, president of SFA.
Lynch added that all the entries showcased the “kinds of inspiring stories”, innovative products, and bold visions for the future—qualities that make the specialty food industry so dynamic.
