Conway Restaurant owner will travel abroad for pizza, bread competition

Anto’s Pizza Romana and Italian Market owner will travel to Italy to make Roman-style pizza, a style characterized by its square and airy crust.

Owner Anthony Ludovici-DeBrigida and his wife Carly will head to Rome, Italy for the annual Pizza World Cup this September organized by the Foilliero Event Union of Traditional Pizzas and Restaurants.

He will compete in the Roman-style pizza and focaccia bread segments of the competition.

The 33-year-old who trained in Italy at the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli which translates from Italian to the Italian Pizza Maker School said to be frank, he’s nervous.

“Our first competition was earlier this year in March,” Ludovici-DeBrigida said. “This is our first international competition so a little nervous.”

The Pizza shop and Italian Market is known for its New York-style presentation and flavor due to Ludovici-DeBrigida’s craftsmanship, and a water filtration system that treats South Carolina water to give it properties similar to New York water.

Anto’s opened in October 2024.

Anto’s will host a party from 7 to 8:30 P.M. or until supplies last on June 18. They will offer a tray of pasta, individual pizza slices and mini sandwiches for anyone who drops by to celebrate their winning Best of the Grand Strand.