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Calling All Food Bloggers

take the pizzeria recipe challenge

Neighborhood pizzeria inspiration meets original culinary creativity. Show us a recipe that makes Don Pepino Pizza Sauce, made with 100% Jersey Fresh tomatoes, the star ingredient.

$2,500In prize money
30Blogger spots
4Free cans each
August 1 – September 30, 2026 · No purchase necessary
Ready, Set, Create

$2,500 on the table

Grand Prize $1,000 The three category winners compete head to head for the grand prize.
Category Winner $500 Signature Pizzas
Category Winner $500 Beyond The Slice
Category Winner $500 Appetizers & Shareables
Register NowLimited to the first 30 qualified bloggers
Three Ways To Win

choose your category

01 The Sauce Behind the Slice™

signature pizzas

$500 Category Prize

Your ultimate pizza creation, built on Don Pepino Pizza Sauce. Artisan toppings, regional flavors or a family-inspired pie — anything that could proudly earn a place on a pizzeria menu.

Artisan toppingsRegional stylesFamily pies
02 Pizzeria Inspired

beyond the slice

$500 Category Prize

Calzones, pizza rolls, stromboli, pasta — the flavors of the neighborhood pizzeria in an unexpected way. Innovative, approachable, and made for cooks who want more than pizza night.

CalzonesStromboliBaked pasta
03 Made For A Crowd

appetizers & shareables

$500 Category Prize

Pizza dips, garlic knots, stuffed breadsticks, sliders, flatbreads, pinwheels. Easy to share, packed with flavor, and perfect for game days and family gatherings.

DipsGarlic knotsSliders
Register NowOne entry form covers every category
On The House

four cans, on us

Every qualified participant receives four 14.5 oz (411g) retail cans of Don Pepino Pizza Sauce to develop their recipe. Register, qualify, and the sauce ships to you.

Register NowRegister to qualify
What is in the can 100% Jersey Fresh tomatoes No concentrate or citric acid added No sugar, no fillers, no shortcuts Fully prepared, ready to use
How Winners Are Chosen

judging criteria

50%

taste

Does the recipe deliver outstanding pizzeria inspired flavor, and does the sauce make it something people would prepare again?

25%

visual appeal

Does the finished recipe look restaurant worthy, presented in a way that inspires people to recreate it?

25%

creativity

Does it use Don Pepino Pizza Sauce in a unique or unexpected way while staying approachable for home cooks?

Register NowNo purchase necessary
To Qualify

who can enter

21 years of age or older
Legal resident of the United States
Food blog active for at least six months
Recipe must be completely original
Not a professional chef
Don Pepino Pizza Sauce used as the primary sauce
From Can to Post

how to submit

  1. Publish your final recipe and photos on your food blog, Facebook, X, Pinterest and Instagram.
  2. Include Don Pepino’s social links and website URL in the post, and name Don Pepino’s Pizza Sauce in the ingredient list.
  3. Tag Don Pepino’s on every platform and note the stores where the sauce can be purchased.
  4. Email your original recipe, jpeg photos of the finished dish and links to your published posts to Marketing@violetfoods.com by September 30, 2026.
#TheSauceBehindTheSlice#MadeWithDonPepino#DonPepinosRecipeChallenge
Register NowTakes two minutes
Key Dates

the timeline

August 1, 2026 registration opens

12:01 a.m. EST. First 30 qualified bloggers only.

August 2026 cans ship out

Four 14.5 oz cans arrive so you can start developing.

September 30, 2026 entries close

11:59 p.m. EST. No recipes accepted after the deadline.

October 15, 2026 winners notified

On or about, by regular mail and email.

Register NowLimited to the first 30 qualified bloggers
Sign Up Today

take the challenge

Registration is limited to the first 30 qualified food bloggers. No purchase necessary.

Marketing@violetfoods.com
The Don Pepino’s Pizzeria Blogger Recipe Challenge

official contest rules

Read the full official rules