Ipswich Domino's worker now 'world's fastest pizza maker'

Joana Mendes, who works at the Bramford Road store won the title with a record breaking attempt of 39.2 seconds at the World's Fastest Pizza Maker competition.

The 28-year-old went up against enthusiasts from across the globe at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas on May 8, 2024.

Finalists had to prepare three large pizzas – one pepperoni, one mushroom and one cheese – by hand-stretching dough, saucing, and placing toppings as quickly as possible.

The result was then graded by two highly qualified judges in Domino’s pizza-making practices on three criteria: dough and sauce, portioning of toppings, and placement.

This is not Joana's first foray into the competition, as she won the national title in 2022 at a speedy one minute and 19 seconds from dough to pizza.

Joana in action in Las Vegas on May 8. (Image: One Green Bean/Domino's)

The 28-year-old, originally from Portugal, came to Ipswich seven years ago, and has been working at Domino's ever since then, starting when she was 19, and has now become assistant manager at the store.

The pizza chain held its first World's Fastest Pizza Maker competition in 1982 as a nod to each store's commitment to timely pizza delivery.

Miss Mendes won $5,000 in prize money, a trophy, a championship belt, and the renowned title of World's Fastest Pizza Maker, presented by Domino's Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner.

Joana was crowned the UK champion in 2022. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

Miss Mendes said: “This title means everything to me. For the past two years I have been training very hard and became the first female to win the United Kingdom’s fastest pizza maker competition.

"From there, my goal was to take it to the next level and be the world’s fastest pizza maker.

"I had the best people by my side to show me the process and have now achieved one of the biggest goals in my life.”