Stretch on Portland Road came second at the National Pizza Awards

Stretch^4,5, Brigi Stamber’s pizzeria on Portland Road in Hove, came second at the 2026 National Pizza Awards². The final was held at Big Penny Social in London on Tuesday 3 November. The result was first reported by the Argus¹.

Stamber’s entry was The Herd: British fior di latte, Pirata loin, the British pecorino Lord of the Hundreds, seasonal herbs, house-pickled chillies and extra-virgin olive oil. Sixteen pizzerias made the final. Jack Ellingham of Five Feet, a London pizzeria that hasn’t opened yet, won with a sausage and broccoli pizza. Rory Cunningham of Bad Boy Pizza Society in London was third.

Stretch is Stamber’s first pizzeria of her own, after many years with Pizzaface, according to Dine Out³, the magazine behind the awards. All of this year’s winners are invited to a Champion of Champions cook-off in February.

“I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant that proves sustainability and incredible flavour can truly go hand in hand,” Stamber says on the restaurant’s website.

You can order The Herd at Stretch for £17; on the autumn menu it comes on an arrabbiata base. The cheapest pizza is the Marinara Verde at £11, and the Classic, with red sauce, fior di latte and basil, is £12. The £15 Brighton Blue has Brighton Blue cheese with roasted squash and cavolo nero. Two pizzas, the Forager and the Brasa, use vegan cheese.

Stretch is at 202 Portland Road, BN3 5QN. Its website doesn’t list opening hours, so email stretch.hove@gmail.com before you go.