AN ITALIAN restaurant will find out soon if it serves the best pizza in England after being nominated as a finalist in the English Italian Awards.

The Pack restaurant and bar, in the moorland village of Belthorn, has been run for the past four years by Karl and Jo-Ann Elsworth.

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The Pack, formerly the Pack Horse, has been an Italian for around 30 years and has made it onto the judges’ shortlist at the awards in two categories, Best Pizza and Best Pizzeria.

The restaurant made the finals after being nominated and voted for by their customers.

The inaugural Italian awards will be held in Manchester for the first time in October.

Karl, 39, said: “Considering that we are a small independent restaurant, we feel it is a great achievement to make the finals alongside many large city centre establishments.

The finalists in all 16 categories have now been announced, A panel of judges will decide the winner of each category, with winners announced at the Palace Ballroom.

Karl and Jo-Ann are now in for agonising wait as the judges are set to visit The Pack over the coming weeks to mark them in the ‘best pizzeria’ category.

And the judging for the best pizza will be done by one of Europe’s leading Italian chefs, Aldo Zilli.

Karl said: “In September, our chef Nick Moca will be going over to Cheshire to cook a Margarita pizza for Aldo. I’m sure he’s up to it.

“It’s a great opportunity and Jo-Ann and I would like to thank all our team and our customers for helping us to be recognised.”

Warren Paul, CEO and founder of The Italian Awards, said: “Bringing the event to England has been a massive step for us, and it’s been a complete success.

“We are delighted not only by the public engagement, but by the English Italian community’s sheer passion and determination.

“It’s been a close race and we thank everyone who took part.”