Coleone's Looks to Repeat as Pizza Bake-Off Champs

Everyone loves pizza.

That may be why the annual Avon/Avon Lake Rotary Great Pizza Bake-Off has become one of the hottest homecoming weekend events in Avon Lake.

Admission to the Sept. 29 all-you-can-eat Great Pizza Bake-Off, held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the  Commons, is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Tickets are sold at the door.

More than 700 pizza enthusiasts attended the 2010 bake-off, according to Frank Krempasky, treasurer of the Avon/Avon Lake Rotary Foundation. “It’s fun for both adults and children. We start the weekend with the Rotary event on Thursday and close with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Sunday,” he said. “These are two key student-oriented organizations participating and making a difference during homecoming.”

Winner of last year’s “People’s Choice” award,  will be back to defend that title for the third consecutive time. Other returning award winners are Cici’s Pizza, which won for “Best Specialty” pizza last year, and “Best Pepperoni” pizza winner, . Doughboy’s Pizza,, Marco’s and  will also be participating. The new Rotary Interact Club will be serving beverages.

Lorain County JVS culinary students will be creating a surprise dessert pizza. Last year’s creation was Bananas Foster Pizza Triangles.

“The pizza bake-off allows the JVS culinary students to work on one of their biggest projects of the school year and learn about food preparation, serving and dealing with the public in a food service area,” Krempasky noted.

Funds raised will go towards scholarships.

“The focus of the Avon/Avon Lake Rotary is on enhancing the educational abilities at Avon, Avon Lake and at Brookside schools,” Krempasky said. “Last year, we awarded six scholarships at $750 each, and contributed $1,020 to the Avon Lake High School Chorale trip fund.”

The Chorale helps the Rotary with its other big annual fundraiser, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra holiday concert. The concert will be held on Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. at Avon Lake High School.

“The Avon/Avon Lake Rotary uses the money it raises during the year to send students to the World Community Workshop, Hugh O’Brien Leadership Camp, Ohio State Barbershop Singing Camp through the Golden Crescent Choir and we support Community Resource Services, the Lorain Animal Protective League (APL) and other organizations,” Krempasky said.