Joe Fugere, founder of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, has just been appointed Vice President of Media, Marketing and Events for the Associazione Verace Pizza Napolenata (AVPN) headquartered in Naples, Italy and the VPN Americas in Los Angeles. In his new position, Fugere will assume responsibility of assisting the VPN in strategic planning and the organization of VPN related activities, including those at the International Pizza Expo and Pizza Fest; public relations in the promotion of the VPN on a national and international level; and assisting the VPN in carrying out special projects. Massimo Di Porzio, President of VPN Italy, felt that Fugere’s passion for the authenticity and tradition of Neapolitan pizza making made him an outstanding candidate for the position. “We are growing all around the world and need new vitality and enthusiasm to increase our visibility”, says Di Porzio. “We have lots of projects and ideas that we need to share.”
The VPN is an international non-profit organization that was founded in the mid-1990’s by a group of Neapolitan pizzaiolis (pizza makers) seeking to cultivate the culinary art of making Neapolitan pizza. In June of 1998, the association was officially established as a denomination of control (DOC) by the Italian government, a designation that made the VPN a legal entity able to give special designation to pizzerias who meet strict requirements that respect the tradition of the art of Neapolitan pizza making.
Tutta Bella was the Northwest’s first Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certified Neapolitan pizzeria and as such is held accountable to the Association’s high culinary standards. The company has four locations: Columbia City, Issaquah, Stone Way and Westlake. Tutta Bella has been honored with the Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Concepts” award, the Washington State Restaurant Association’s “Full Service Operator of the Year” award, two Waterford Crystal Beverage Awards, Pizza Today’s “Independent Pizzeria of the Year”, GSBA “Business of the Year” award, and the national “ICIC Inner City 100” award. For more information, please visit www.tuttabella.com.