The contest for Kenosha’s best pizza proved more popular than ever Sunday as more than 500 people lined up for a taste of their favorite slices.

The turnout was an apparent record for the fundraiser, said organizers, who hoped to raise $5,000 during the 16th annual Great Pizza Bake-Off at Madrigrano Marina Shore, 302 58th St.

Within minutes of the event’s 5 p.m. kickoff, tickets were sold out and people pressed shoulder-to-shoulder as they waited in line.

“We definitely had our best turnout ever,” said Molly Krause, event co-chairwoman.

14 competitors

Antonio’s Pizzeria, Baker Street Restaurant & Pub, Boathouse Pub & Eatery, Domino’s Pizza, Gianni’s, Infusino’s Pizzeria, Kaiser’s Pizza & Pub, Jimano’s Pizzeria, Nick-N-Willy’s Take-N-Bake, Nonni’s Italian Bistro & Bar, Rocky Rococo, Tazinos, The Clubhouse and Valeo’s Pizza Kitchen participated in this year’s event, organized by Kenosha Area Noon Optimist Club and the Tremper High School Octagon Club.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha Youth of the Year Scholarship, as well as other Optimist youth programs in the community.

The winners

For the Critics’ Choice award, judges chose Antonio’s Pizzeria for best local pizza parlor and Nick-N-Willy’s for best chain.

In the People’s Choice categories, the best cheese pizza went to Valeo’s (local) and Nick-N-Willy’s (chain). Both also won for best specialty pizza, marking the fifth year the take-and-bake franchise has won that category. Best cheese and sausage pizzas went to Kaiser’s (local) and Nick-N-Willy’s (chain).

More pizza needed

Each of the 14 vendors at the event were asked to bring 18 pizzas, but nearly all of them sent out for more after the crowd descended Sunday, organizers said.

“It was absolutely jam-packed in here. We ran out of our specialty twice,” said Lila Spata from Valeo’s.

People formed competing lines — one stretched nearly the length of the room — for a chance to taste Valeo’s Chicago-style stuffed pizza with spinach, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and spaghetti sauce. Spata brought 21 specialty 12-inch pizzas, each prepared in cast-iron pans, and another 36 16-inch pizzas to keep up with demand.

The chicken club pizza — that’s tomato, bacon, onion and chicken in alfredo sauce — had people lining up at the Jimano’s booth, owner Glenn Scott said.

“I saw people cutting in line. They were actually coming from two directions,” Scott said.

Kaiser’s kept dishing out a nearly steady supply of its taco pizza, piled high with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno and black olives. General manager Karen Korsmo estimated she and her crew served 30 16-inch specialty, cheese and sausage pizzas during the event.

“Your taco is going up against Baker Street’s Mexican pizza,” customer Melissa Meyer, 34, of Pleasant Prairie, teased as she took a slice from Korsmo.

Meyer brought her niece Tabitha Ziehr, 14, and nephew Aaron Ziehr, 11, both of Pleasant Prairie, to the pizza event.

“It was a little hectic trying to get in,” Meyer said.

But, she added, totally worth it.

In their opinions, Nick-N-Willy’s won “hands down” for best pizza overall. As for specialities, the Ziehr siblings were divided. Tabitha loved the artichoke pizza from Gianni’s while Aaron loved the shrimp pizza from The Boathouse.

“That’s something you don’t see everyday,” Meyer said.