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Season 1 Ep. 9 | THE F WORD

Season 8 Ep. 2 | MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

The Power of Leadership with Joe Carlucci

The Power of Leadership

In this episode of The Late Night Restaurant Show, Jay and Domenic sit down with Joe Carlucci, a pizza champion and hospitality expert who shares his incredible journey from failure to success.

— Restaurant LATE Night Show

Meet the Alabama pizzeria run by a Guinness world record holder

Meet the Alabama pizzeria

Joe Carlucci is passionate about pizza. Working in the business since age 14, the Madison-area restaurateur holds two pizza-related Guinness world records. In competitions, he has multiple World Pizza Champion wins, and last month was named the Best of the Best Pizza Maker at the International Pizza Expo.

— Eric Velasco

World Pizza Champion Joe Carlucci

World Pizza Champion Joe Carlucci

On his journey, he finally found the right work/life balance while dialing in on the formula that has established Valentina's as a role model for the next generation of pizzeria operators.

— Heritage Radio Network

Award-winning pizzamaker and restaurant owner mentors staff, now bringing home hardware

Award-winning pizzamaker

“Being across the street from the cornfield four years ago, everybody laughed at us and thought we’d be out of business in a few months, but my team and my staff have created this,” Carlucci said.

— Lauren Layton

Pizza perfection: Inside the mind of north Alabama's lord of the pies

Pizza perfection on Al com

Chorizo was the last topping Joe Carlucci decided to add to “The Godfather,” a marvelous, meat-positive signature pie at his restaurant, Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar.

— Matt Wake

Valentina's Pizzeria settling into new location

Valentina's Pizzerianew location

One of Madison's best pizza joints has, by management's own admission, outgrown its current spot and is moving to a new location. Valentina's Pizzeria announced it is moving to a location nearby.

— Michael Seale

This Restaurant In Madison Might Be The Best-Kept Secret In Alabama

Restaurant In Madison The Best-Kept Secret

The secret has been getting out about Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, not only as the place to go for the best pizza in Madison, Alabama, but now in the entire world.

— Lisa Battles

NEW: Madison pizza chef wins international competition for 3rd year in a row

Madison pizza chef wins international competition

Heads up Huntsville-area residents—we have one of the top pizza chefs in the world right here.

— Lacey Spear

The BEST traditional pizza in the world calls Madison, AL home

The BEST traditional pizza in the world

Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar competed at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and took home the title of "Best Traditional Pizza in the World"

— Aiyana Willoughby

Madison pizza shop brings home a win at International Pizza Competition

Win at International Pizza Competition

Owner Joe Carlucci said he prepared for days and even booked a separate hotel room for his pizza dough.

— Aiyana Willoughby

Catering in Madison, Alabama with Valentina's Pizza

Catering in Madison, Alabama

Want to spoil your employees or surprise your guests with specialty pizzas at your next event? Consider catering with Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar!

— All Things Madison

Alabama pizza joint takes top prize at Vegas pizza convention

Alabama pizza joint takes top prize

Congrats are in order for an Alabama pizza joint that ranked very highly at an international conference this week...

— AL.com

North Alabama pizza ranked best traditional style, second-best overall in the world

North Alabama pizza ranked best traditional style

Joe Carlucci from Madison's own Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar made pizza that was ranked as the best in the International Pizza Challenge's Traditional Division and Southeast Region.

— NEWS 19

Madison Pizza chef featured on Hulu's "Best in Dough"

Madison Pizza chef featured on Hulu's

MADISON, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) - It may not be Jersey, but Madison is making a name for itself in pizza, thanks to Joe Carlucci.

— NEWS 19

Valentina's Pizza and Wine Bar: All About Madison's Newest Pizza Place

Valentina's Pizza and Wine Bar

There's a brand new pizza restaurant in a part of Madison that you may not be used to venturing to but will be frequenting more often after you try some of what Joe Carlucci has to offer.

— All Things Madison

"I'm just the pizza guy trying to change the world," Madison pizzeria owner said

I'M JUST THE PIZZA GUY

MADISON, Alabama � Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Madison has some unusual decor: a large mural on the side of his pizza shop featuring historical figures

— Aiyana Willoughby

Alabama Original: Valentina's World Record Pizza Toss

Valentina's World Record Pizza Toss

Joe Carlucci and daughter Valentina make a pizza at their restaurant on Huntsville Brownsferry Road.

— Luke Hajdasz

Joe Carlucci of Famous Joe's Pizzeria is a 'pizza nerd' who has become a pizza champion

Joe Carlucci is a 'pizza nerd'

MADISON, Alabama - Famous Joe got his nickname from Bruno, his former business partner.
He and Bruno were making pizza in Connecticut at the time, about to open a new restaurant. They were sitting in Bruno's car one day, wondering what to name their new business.

— AL.com

Local pizza maker receives big awards in Las Vegas

The judges gave Carlucci first place

MADISON, Ala. (WAFF) - Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar's owner, Joe Carlucci, won the top prize at the World Pizza Championship in Las Vegas.
Carlucci competed for the best traditional pizza in the Southeast on August 18. The judges gave Carlucci first place, beating pizza makers from eight other states in the region.

— WAFF 48

Mural in Madison, Alabama: Check Out Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar

Mural in Madison, Alabama

For decades, the rural, westward drive along Huntsville Brownsferry Road from Madison to Athens has showcased little more than green fields, extensive farmland, and a few stop signs.But now, this two-lane road is home to one of North Alabama's largest, most colorful, and most detailed murals our area has ever seen, and this visual masterpiece is rapidly grabbing the attention of curious spectators from all over.

— All Things Madison

Joe Carlucci, local pizza chef, to appear on 'Martha Stewart' Tuesday

local pizza chef

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Joe Carlucci, who holds the Guiness record for the highest pizza tossed and is one of the top pizza chefs in the country, will appear on "The Martha Stewart Show" this morning at 9 a.m. on The Hallmark Channel.

— AL.com

Tossing on 'Today' show

At the Today outdoor studio

"It was unbelievable," said Carlucci in a phone interview after the show. "It was on another level."Carlucci appeared alongside hosts Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and guest Mario Cantone , most recognized for his role of Anthony Marantino on "Sex and the City" and guest spots on "Chappelle's Show."

— Newstimes

Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar

Valentina's Pizzeria & Wine Bar

Enjoy award-winning pizza at Valentina's new location

— WAFF 48

Mastering the art of the pie at Valentina's Pizza

Mastering the art of the pie

The Madison pizzeria is owned and operated by multiple award-winning chef Joe Carlucci.

— rocketcitynow.com

Huntsville-area pizzeria wins top 50 in the U.S. for the 2nd year in a row

Huntsville pizzeria wins top 50 in the U.S.

On July 1, Valentina’s Pizzeria owner and chef Joe Carlucci traveled to New York to receive a top honor from Top 50 Pizza.

— Lacey Muenstermann

Pizza aficiona-dough: Valentina’s pizzeria continues to roll up national and state awards

Valentina’s pizzeria to roll up nationalawards

The award-winning pizzeria has added another laurel to its collection as the No. 27 Best Pizzeria in the United States.

— Bud McLaughlin

Valentina’s Pizzeria launches 9/11 Memorial Fundraiser

9/11 Memorial Fundraiser

Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar will host a powerful and heartfelt community event and national fundraiser to honor the victims of 9/11.

— Mariah Wiggs

Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar 9/11 Special

Valentina's Pizzeria and Wine Bar 9/11 Special

— waff.com

Valentina's memorial pizzas honor 9/11 with charity fundraiser in Madison; owner responds to criticism

Valentina's memorial pizzas honor 9/11

Valentina’s, a Madison pizzeria recently ranked among the Top 30 in the U.S., will host a community fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 11, to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks. Along with thanks and good wishes, owner Joe Carlucci has received criticism about the event and how it's being put on.

— Austin Pylant

Valentina’s launches '$24K in 24 Hours' 9/11 memorial fundraiser

Valentina’s memorial fundraiser

Valentina's by Joe Carlucci will host a memorial fundraiser to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September 11 attacks today, Sept. 11, according to a press release.

— pizzamarketplace.com

Valentina’s Owner Joe Carlucci Seeks to Raise $24,000 in 24 Hours to Honor 9/11 Victims

Joe Carlucci Seeks to Raise $24,000 to Honor 9/11 Victims

Joe Carlucci and his daughter, Valentina, are a father-daughter duo at the pizzeria that bears the teenager's name.

— pmq.com

The Hands Down Best Pizza In Every State

Best Pizza In Every State

Pizza may be an Italian invention, but it's been fully adopted and reinvented across the U.S. The country is home to numerous styles of pizza, from classic Neapolitan pies to Chicago deep-dish pizzas, New York-style slices, square Sicilian pizzas, and California wood-fired pizzas.

— Stephanie Mee

Madison pizzeria raises $30k during fundraiser to honor 9/11 victims

Madison pizzeria raises $30k

Valentina's Pizzeria in Madison surpassed its fundraising goal, raising $27,000 for Tunnels for Towers, which provides homes and services for first responders.

— Dara Tuggle

Joe Carlucci, Madison, Alabama -USA

Joe Carlucci, Madison, Alabama -USA

Raised between New York and Alabama, Carlucci has earned numerous international accolades, including “Pizza Maker of the Year” in 2023. His philosophy blends technique, quality ingredients, and community dedication. Founder and leading figure of the World Pizza Champions.

— Reporter Gourmet S.r.l.