A PIZZA chef is up for an award for mastering the art of making the best dough in Ascot.

Alex Balan, a pizza chef at The Royal Foresters in Ascot has been named as one of 16 finalists in the National Pizza Awards.

The pub located in London Road, uses slow-proved dough and traditional Neapolitan ingredients cooked in a proper pizza oven.

READ THIS: Bracknell Boxing for Veterans is hosting a Remembrance event to raise money for ex-armed forces

Alex is up for winning an award for either the Best Technical Pizza, Pizza Chef of the year or National Pizza of the Year.

He said: “I feel very proud to be representing Oakman Inns at the Awards.

"I have been working with our pizzaioli and head chefs on refining our Esposito 75 Neapolitan pizza recipes and I feel as though I am representing all the great pizzaioli who work for us and who make some of the best, traditional pizzas I have ever tasted."

The chef will have to cook in two rounds, a technical challenge where each contestant is given 40 minutes to prepare two pizzas using specific ingredients supplied by the event's sponsor.

For the second round, the chefs will be asked to produce two examples of their own signature recipe they submitted with their entry.

Alex's signature recipe is Napoli Forte, which includes spicy Nduja sausage, Napoli salami, chilli, garlic, tomatoes and Fior di Latte mozzarella cheese sourced with Naples.

ALSO READ: Lidl is looking to open new stores in Bracknell, Ascot and Wokingham

A judging panel of leading industry experts will mark on taste, texture, appearance and creativity.

Oakman Inns’ Chef Director, Ross Pike and Alex believe that they have perfected an award-winning recipe for their pizza dough The National Pizza Awards final takes place at Islington Metal Works on November 7.