A high-street pizzeria could be crowned the country’s best and win a coveted accolade.

Nomad Pizza on Whitstable High Street this week claimed gold in the ‘Independent Pizza Delivery’ category for The Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association (PAPA) awards.

It means the takeaway will go up against four other independent pizza retailers nationwide, with the overall winner soon to be revealed at a ceremony in London.

The hotly contested event celebrates some of the top Italian cuisine in the UK.

Owners Jon and Vicki Crwys-Williams say they are thrilled to be considered for the prestigious award. “We feel fantastic about our nomination,” said the couple.

“It’s a big deal to be nominated for one of our industry's most coveted awards.

“Being recognised is not only a thrill for me and Vicki but also for our amazing team, who work so hard and enthusiastically to maintain our levels of food and service.

“Here at Nomad’s, we offer top-notch freshly made pizza to take away and champion local produce – topping our pizzas with local cheeses and cooked meats from the local butcher.”

Mr and Mrs Crwys-Williams founded the restaurant between the two Covid lockdowns in the summer of 2020 but still came in first place in the same award category that year.

The couple name their tasty creations after different varieties of apples as a nod to one of the Garden of England’s best-known industries. ‘Cosmic’ is a three-cheese pizza, and ‘Jazz’ is a spicy chicken pizza.

Jim Winship, director, of The Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association who organise the competition, says Nomad’s community focus is exactly what judges are looking for.

“With deliveries being one of the few thriving sectors in recent years, these awards celebrate the shining stars of the pizza delivery market,” said Mr Winship.

“Jon and Vicki at Nomad’s Pizza showcase exactly what we look for in this category – a local business serving local customers and collaborating with local suppliers.”

The overall winner will be revealed at the PAPA Awards Dinner on Thursday, 9 November 2023 at the Royal Lancaster, London.

Presented by celebrity chef Theo Randall and comedian Adam Bloom, this annual event brings businesses from across the nation’s pizza, pasta and Italian food industry together to celebrate their achievements.