This week for our “Throwback Thursday” recipe, we go all the way back to 1997 and the Mama Mary’s Gourmet Pizza Crust Recipe Contest.  The grand prize winner that year was CCC member Gloria Bradley, for her “Sizzlin’ Spicy Scampi Pizza.”

I chose this recipe to be featured today for #TBT because it has been a staple in my recipe box for years.  Every once in a while I get a craving for a gourmet pizza and my first thought is always, “Mmmm… I need to make that Shrimp Scampi Pizza again!”

Way back in 1997 Lisa Keys, another finalist in this contest, emailed my mom this winning recipe.  My mom printed it out on our noisy, ancient printer – the kind with the paper where you had to tear off the perforated holes from either side of the sheet.  Remember those days?

Well, she kept that very print out all these years!  It is spattered with oil and smeared with tomato from all the times we have made this pizza.  I even remember making it for my friends in college!  (Who says college kids only order pizza?)

There’s just something special about this recipe.  I say it’s the genius use of garlic-herb Boursin cheese spread over the crust.  Heavenly…

After a bit of googling, I found this press release about the contest:

The national debate over “what tastes best on a pizza” was resolved during the Mama Mary’s “Pizza Creations Contest”(TM) Cook-Off held November 22 and 23 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The Pizza Creations Contest, now in its fourth year, is sponsored by Spartan Foods of America, maker of Mama Mary’s Gourmet Pizza Crusts.

“Sizzlin’ Spicy Scampi Pizza” by Gloria Bradley of Naperville, Illinois, received First Place in the Traditional category, and “Apple Streusel Dessert Pizza” by Pam Hughes of Olathe, Kansas, received First Place in the Dessert category.

A total of eight finalists — chosen from thousands of entries — participated in the Cook-Off, with four competitors in each category.

ln addition to the winners, other finalists at the Cook-Off were: Mary Cummings, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, “Berry Crunchy Dessert Pizza”; Lisa Keys, Middlebury, Connecticut, “Red Bliss Pizza”; Donna Lewis from Hanceville, Alabama, “Burrito Breakfast Pizza”; Linda Morten, Katy, Texas, “Blueberry Dessert Pizza”; Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin, “Three Cheese Smoky White Pizza” and Patricia Kohl-Sennett from Continental, Ohio, “Choco Peanut Butter Pie Pizza.”

Winners each received a $2500 cash prize with a matching donation to a charity in their hometown. All finalists received all expenses paid trips for two to Disney World, a cappuccino machine, a year’s supply of Mama Mary’s Gourmet Pizza Crusts, and the distinction of being “tops” in topping a pizza.

At the Cook-Off, finalists prepared their recipes for judging by a panel of food industry officials and cooking experts. Judging criteria included originality, ease of preparation, taste and presentation.

Judges were: Thomas P. Baliker, President, Spartan Foods of America; Jill Crum, Food Consultant, Fast & Healthy Magazine; Elizabeth Halpin, Sensory Analyst, Clemson University, and Eric Siebert, Director of Marketing, Lipton.

According to Baliker, the contest attracted a broad range of pizza-making ideas, including recipes for breakfast, appetizer, seafood, vegetarian and dessert pizzas. The broad range suggested toppings — from apple to zucchini — reflects the growing popularity of making pizza at home.

“There’s no end to the creative opportunities, which makes pizza-making fun for children and grown ups alike,” Baliker said. “More and more families are making pizza at home using fresh produce and other exciting toppings suited to individual tastes and nutritional interests.”

Give the recipe a try – I guarantee it will find a permanent spot in your recipe box as well!

P.S.  Have an idea for a Throwback Thursday recipe post?  Email me!  Kristina@CookingContestCentral.com

Please follow the link below to view or print the recipe:

Sizzlin’ Spicy Scampi Pizza