Jack Weldon was shocked to find out he chose Fresh Market as his No. 1 pizza pick. The 13-year-old was sure he was going to pick his usual favorite, Piesano's.
Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library treated about 10 teens to pizza and soft drinks on July 30 for the Lakewood Ranch Library's first annual Pizza Taste-off.
The teens knew the pizzas were from four different restaurants, but not which was which.
Teen Librarian Sabrina Hornyak picked up pizzas from Piesano’s and Wawa while Friends President Sue Ann Miller picked up pizzas from Michelangelo’s and Fresh Market.
Michelangelo’s took the top spot by only one vote, showing that they all were very good.
The tasters were instructed to assess the appearance, smell, taste and texture of the pizzas. Then, they rated the pies on a scale of 1 to 4, or from “icky” to “amazing.”
The taste test was slated for teens only, but there was enough pizza to feed their siblings, too. Just in case there wasn’t, Maria Weldon brought pizza from Sam’s Club to feed her two younger children — 6-year-old Olivia and 9-year-old Audrey.
Maria Weldon’s older children, Jack and 16-year-old Gianna, signed up for spots before the taste-off was fully booked.
When the registered taste-testers finished scoring the pizzas, Assistant Branch Manager Callie Hutchison walked through the library to let the other patrons know they were welcome to the leftovers.
Lakewood Ranch resident Olivia Weldon, 6, is torn between pizzas No. 3 (Fresh Market) and No. 4 (Michelangelo's).
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The Lakewood Ranch Library's makerspace is transformed into a pizza parlor on July 31 for the first annual Pizza Taste-off.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Teens rate the pizzas by sight, smell and taste. From left to right: Mairead Reardon, Shauna Ditro and Maya Faust.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Liam Pacheco and Jack Weldon, both 13 years old and Lakewood Ranch residents, thought they'd pick Piesano's, but they chose Fresh Market.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Brother and sister, Jack and Gianna Weldon, compare scores.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
