Ever completed what feels like the entire Rudy’s menu twice over and had to resist the urge ask if you could design your own perfect pizza?
No, seriously: we’re asking the question because it’s something we’ve genuinely thought of before.
Don’t get us wrong, Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza remains one of the GOATs not just in Manchester, the North and the UK but Europe as a whole – look it up – and they do update their menus from time to time, we’re greedy little sods that always want more choice when it comes to food.
Thankfully, the ever-growing Rudy’s empire is giving us and, more importantly, you the chance to do just that by bringing back their Pizza Specials competiton back for 2025. In case it wasn’t abundantly clear what that means already, watch this:
Yes, you can leave your mark on the Manc pizza world is one of the biggest ways imaginable by taking part in this once in a lifetime opportunity: the chance to get your pizza creation on the official Rudy’s menu for all to enjoy.
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To be in with a chance of winning, budding pizza aficionados can roll up their sleeves and submit their pizza creation by 9 March, when entries will be judged on creativity, adherence to Neapolitan style, seasonality, taste and marketability.
The top two finalists will then be invited to Rudy’s Academy on Portland Street in Manchester on Wednesday, 2 April, where they’ll learn the secrets behind Rudy’s extremely consistent and renowned food before battling it out in front of expert judges.
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Even better still, teaming up with at home pizza oven specialists Ooni and woodfired brand Napoli On The Road this year, not only will the public get to try you pizza but you’ll also be walking home with an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven as well as a ‘La Famiglia’ (the family) card.
In case you wondering exactly what that entails, how does two free pizzas every week for a whole Rudy year sound? Dreamy? Yep, thought so, now stop screaming.
Last time they teamed up with Birrificio Angelo Poretti and 2025 is set to be even bigger. (Credit: Supplied)
For instance, you could get their latest exclusive special, the White Capricciosa – available until locations until 3 March – TWICE every week for 52 delicious whole weeks.
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Sorrentina Fior Di Latte, Artichokes, Wild Mushrooms, Emilia-Romagna Prosciutto, Black Olive Crumb, and Truffle Oil. We think a part of us may have just actually died and gone to pizza heaven…
Rudy’s is always doing special and inventive promtions like this, be it swapping Christmas toys for pizza during the festive season, giving away a black card; leap year giveaways and even fashion collabs; they’re about much more than just their authentic, floppy Neapolitan slices these days.
But, you know, the pizza is still really bloody good and your creation could be among them.
The process is simple: list the ingredients of your pizza in as much detail as you can, give it an attention-grabbing name (of course), explain your reasons behind the recipe and even upload a photo if you like, then just keep your fingers crossed.
Once again, the competition to design your own Rudy’s pizza ends on Sunday, 9 March, so don’t wait around to be the Manchester’s next great pizzaiolo.
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Submit your Rudy’s pizza creations HERE and buona fortuna – we’re rooting for you!
Featured Images — The Manc Eats/Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza (supplied)
Eats
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Danny Jones -
11th February 2025 
