AN award-winning Glasgow restaurateur has got his teeth into the world's biggest pizza championships.

Domenico Crolla, who owns Bella Napoli in Shawlands, was determined to wipe out any Italian and American favouritism when appointed head judge at the World Pizza Championships in Las Vegas.

For the first time, the judges sampled the pizzas in a blind tasting room.

Competitors were kept away from the high-security judging booth to ensure no attempts at bribery were possible.

The restaurateur, who is considered one of the UK's leading experts on Italian cuisine, said that in previous years, as both a competitor and a judge, he had witnessed favouritism.

He said: "The Americans would only vote American, the Italians favoured Italians.

"When I was promoted to head judge this year I vowed to restore the credibility of the awards.

"The organisers loved the idea of a Scottish chef as head judge as they knew I would be impartial."

Domenico and his judges had to choose from two categories - traditional thin and crispy pizzas, and freestyle.

The overall winner was Graziano Bertuzo, from Italy, with his wild mushroom and pancetta creation.

Domenico scooped five awards at the Pizza Pasta and Italian Food Industry Awards last year. He has also won Pizza Designer of the Year, Pizzeria of the Year and Italian Restaurant of the Year.

Two weeks after his Vegas role, Domenico was asked to judge the Salsa Magiore contest in Milan.