• Pepperoni pizza
  • Fried goat cheese balls on a bed of arugula with a side of house made hot honey
  • Valentina's Original Pizzeria and Wine Bar, exterior

Original Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar

Joe Carlucci


Born in the Bronx and raised in Carmel, New York, Joe Carlucci began his career in the pizza industry at the young age of 15. Soon after in the year 2000, Joe met fourteen-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani, who has mentored Joe for over 20 years, helping him become one of the pioneers in the pizza industry. Joe is one of the founders of the World Pizza Champions organization, which currently contains over 200 members. Carlucci is the 2023 Pizza Maker of the Year, 2023 International Pizza Expo Winner of Best Non-Traditional Style Pizza in the World, 2022 International Pizza Expo Winner of Best Traditional Style Pizza in the World, a seven-time World Pizza Champion, two-time Guinness World Record Holder, three-time World Champion Pizza Acrobat, and has won awards in competitions worldwide. Carlucci has appeared several times on national TV shows - such as, The Today Show, Martha & Snoop, Master Chef Kids, Best In Dough, and many more. When Joe is not making his world famous pizza or breaking world records, he is spending time with his daughter Valentina and helping her break world records of her own.

Joe's Awards

Owner of the Valentina's holding his award
  • 8x World Pizza Champion

  • Awarded by the multiple competitions


  • 2023 Pizza Maker of the Year

  • Awarded by the International Pizza Expo & Conference


  • 2023 Best Non-Traditional Pizza in the World

  • Awarded by the International Pizza Expo & Conference


  • 2022 Best Traditional Pizza in the World

  • Awarded by the International Pizza Expo & Conference


  • 2021 Best Traditional Pizza in the Southeast

  • Awarded by the International Pizza Expo & Conference


  • Guinness World Record Holder - Highest Pizza Toss

  • Awarded by Guinness World Record in 2006


  • Guinness World Record Holder - Largest Pizza Base Spun

  • Awarded by Guinness World Record in 2017