Independent pizzeria Leaven Pizza has been named one of just 16 finalists across the UK in the prestigious National Pizza Awards 2026! 
The National Pizza Awards brings together chefs from restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and street food vendors across Britain in a dedicated search for the best pizza.
On 3 November, the Broad Street team will head to London’s Big Penny Social to compete live against Britain’s top pizza chefs.
Pizzas are judged on everything from making the base, flavour profile, cooking, texture, consistency, presentation and the choice of ingredients.
Leaven makes its sourdough fresh on site every day, with the team continually developing its dough fermentation, ingredients and cooking techniques.
This latest news builds on an already dynamic winning streak for Leaven, taking home Best Independent Pizza Restaurant in the UK at the 2024 PAPA Awards and Best Italian Restaurant at the 2026 Midlands Food, Drink & Hospitality Awards.
— Dorian Kirk, co-founder of ART Hospitality said:
“When we opened Leaven in Hereford, the ambition was to create something that could genuinely stand alongside the best independent pizzerias anywhere in the UK… I’m proud that we’re doing it from Hereford.”
We wish them all the very best for the final!
