The Dish

Italian Shakshouka, Sesame Nori Flatbread, Spiced Roasted Tomatoes

Primary Inspiration

• Alex is a die-hard pizza and football/sports fan — he lives and breathes these passions and even started his own pizza dough company.
• I wanted to showcase the versatility of pizza dough and show how it can be used for more than just pizza — like flatbread.

Secondary Inspiration

• Alex’s Italian heritage — Italian cuisine is incredibly versatile and pairs well with other global flavors. This dish pays homage to his roots.
• His love for pizza, football, and tailgating inspired me to bring together all three into one dish that would shine at a tailgate party.
• Examples of the fusion:
  • Pizza dough used as a sesame nori flatbread
  • Beer used to deglaze and add moisture — a nod to tailgating culture
  • Italian tomatoes and Calabrian chili evoke pizza flavor in the North African/Middle Eastern shakshouka base
  • Tex-Mex spice blend complements the spice profile of shakshouka

Components