Do you have a recipe for a pizza that’s featured on your menu, or maybe a recipe for a pizza you think would wow your guests? If so, the California Milk Advisory Board wants to see it — because it could be an award-winner in the CMAB’s 8th Annual Real California Pizza Contest!
The CMAB is looking for the nation's top pizza recipes showcasing Real California cheese and dairy from professional chefs and culinary students across the United States. There are two categories in the contest; each recipe submitted in either category must include Real California Cheese (click here for approved Real California Cheese brands and varieties):
On the Menu — an innovative pizza recipe already on your menu or a recipe available as a seasonal item or special Limited Time Offer. Each recipe must contain Real California Mozzarella and a minimum of one other Real California cheese or dairy product.
California Freestyle — an original, cheese-centric pizza recipe using a minimum of three Real California cheese or dairy products including Mozzarella alongside ingredients and toppings grown or popular in the Golden State
The recipe submission deadline is April 24, 2026. All entries will be scored by a panel of champion pizza chefs who will judge each recipe on use of Real California Cheese (40%); Flavor Expectations (40%); Pizza Name & Description (10%) and Photographs (10%).
Eight finalists — four in each category — will be selected and will receive an all-expense-paid trip to compete head-to-head at a live bake-off from July 13 -15, 2026 at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, California.
Category winners each will receive $5,000; the overall Grand Prize Winner will receive an additional $2,500, for a total prize of $7,500; and finalists who are not category winners each will receive $1,000.
For more information about entry requirements, and to submit your favorite recipe(s), click here.