Pizza Acrobatics Star at Festitalia 2025
at the RNA SHOWGROUNDS Tickets on sale now at www.festitalia.com.au
Pizza Acrobatics Take Centre Stage at Festitalia 2025 – Brisbane-based pizza acrobat set to get heads spinning
Picture Australian Ninja Warrior meets MasterChef meets Cirque du Soliel: flying dough and gravity defying moves, all before a pizza is made!!
The genius behind this is world champion pizza acrobat Youssef Ben Touati, who is set to wow audiences at Festitalia this Father’s Day, September 7. The international performer, who has competed on Australia’s Got Talent and dazzled at food festivals worldwide, brings his high-energy spectacle to Brisbane’s Festitalia on Sunday 7 September at the RNA Showgrounds. Youssef transforms the humble pizza into performance art — a breathtaking fusion of tradition, athleticism, and pure entertainment.
Born in Perugia, Italy, to an Italian mother and a French-Tunisian father, Youssef Ben Touati was destined for a life in food and culture. Raised in a multicultural household and surrounded by a family deeply rooted in hospitality, his culinary journey began early. At just 11 years old, he was clearing tables in his uncle’s Tuscan restaurant; by 14, he was prepping ingredients in the kitchen, and at 16, he was cooking full-time, laying the foundation for what would become an international career.
His passion for pizza flourished at “La Casetta,” his uncle’s pizzeria in Perugia, where his natural skill quickly drew the attention of the Italian National Team of Pizzaioli. Under the mentorship of Danilo Pagano, he began competing both nationally and internationally, winning first place in Freestyle Pizza and a bronze in Gourmet Pizza at the 2013 International Pizza Championship in Rimini. As his reputation grew, Youssef was invited to collaborate with the Italian government on cultural projects, promoting and exporting authentic Italian food culture overseas. Through this role, he became an ambassador of Italian culinary heritage, blending education, performance, and gastronomy to showcase the artistry of pizza on the world stage.
Today, Youssef is a decorated member of the Acrobatic Pizza Italian Team, captivating audiences worldwide with his dynamic dough-spinning performances. While his flair brings excitement to crowds, he is equally committed to the rigorous craftsmanship that defines true pizza-making. Over the years, he has earned multiple world championship titles across categories such as Pizza STG (Napoletana), Pizza Classica, and Pizza Dessert, along with prestigious honours like the Trofeo Pizza d’Autore and special recognition at the Trofeo Pulcinella in Naples.
In 2014, Youssef relocated to Brisbane, Australia, embracing new challenges and opportunities. Despite arriving with little English, his charisma and mastery quickly left a mark. He worked in some of Brisbane’s finest establishments, including Tartufo and Mr. Paganini, while also consulting for leading global brands such as Valoriani wood-fired ovens and Le 5 Stagioni flours.
ABOUT FESTITALIA 2025
One of Queensland’s most beloved cultural festivals is BACK and it’s bringing the heart and soul of Italy with it for FATHER’S DAY.
After eight year, FESTITALIA returns to Brisbane this Father’s Day, Sunday September 7, transforming the RNA Showgrounds into a vibrant Italian playground of flavour, flair, music, food and family.
A celebration of Italian heritage, FESTITALIA has long been a treasured community event, remembered for its entertainment, authentic food, and that unmistakeable feeling of Italian joy – allegria. So, this Father’s Day, swap socks for spaghetti. Festitalia brings woodfired pizza, handmade pasta, gelato, and an espresso or two for Dad (with a cheeky limoncello on the side).
This year’s program reads like a who’s who of Italian-style entertainment:
Of course, it wouldn’t be FESTITALIA without the food – and there’s plenty of it. Think wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, espresso bars, fine Italian wines, gelato carts, and food stalls dishing up regional specialties and family recipes passed down through generations.
There’ll be competitions like Best Dressed Italian Dad, Nonna’s Slipper Throw, and Dad with the Biggest Pancia (belly!), along with old-school games like Tira Molla (tug of war) and Italian-style musical statues. Families can explore everything from a petting zoo and kids’ games to a Roman military camp, vintage Italian car displays, Prima Spada fencing lessons, and of course, the ever-popular Nonna’s Kitchen.
FESTITALIA 2025 Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Father’s Day) – at the RNA SHOWGROUNDS Tickets on sale now at www.festitalia.com.au
Italian Words You Need to Know for FESTITALIA
(because shouting “evvai!” with confidence is part of the fun)
1. Ciao (chow) – Hello and goodbye. Say it like a local – with flair and a little wave. You’ll hear this every five seconds at Festitalia.
2. Grazie (GRAHT-see-eh) – Thank you. Say it to Nonna when she hands you pasta. Say it again when she gives you seconds.
3. Evviva! / Evvai! (ev-VEE-vah / ev-VAI) – Hooray! / Let’s go! The perfect thing to yell with a wine in hand.
4. Nonna (NON-nah) – Grandma. The real boss of any Italian family (and kitchen). Respect.
5. Mangia! (MAHN-jah) – Eat! You’ll hear it. You’ll do it. You’ll love it.
6. Gelato (jeh-LAH-toh) – Ice cream, but fancier. Smoother, richer, and definitely not “just ice cream.”
7. Amore (ah-MOH-ray) – Love. What you’ll feel after your second slice of woodfired pizza.
9. Bravo/Brava (BRAH-vo / BRAH-vah) – Well done! Yell it after a performance. Or after Dad wins “Biggest Pancia.”
9. Pancia (PAN-chah) – Tummy or belly. As in: “Who’s got the biggest one?” (Yes, that’s an actual competition.)
Things You Must Try at FESTITALIA
(Yes, Nonna would 100% approve)
1. Watch the Pizza Acrobatics You’ve seen pizza tossed – but not like this. Catch Youssef Ben Touati flipping dough like a circus act. It’s fast, it’s flying, and it smells like heaven.
2. Visit Nonna’s Kitchen An absolute must. Traditional recipes, simmering sauces, the smell of garlic in the air… and Nonna’s watching to make sure you clean your plate. Don’t argue – just eat.
3. Say Ciao to the Pulcinellas Keep an eye out for these cheeky, masked characters from Italy’s old-school street theatre. Performed by Homunculus Theatre, they’ll charm kids, crack up adults, and may or may not start a mock swordfight.
4. Soak up the live Italian vibes Opera, folk, guitars, and roaming musicians – it’s a musical feast! Make time for performers like Raffaele Pierno, Zumpa, and Divina Opera – and shout “Bravissimo!” with gusto.
5onus: Enter the Dad-with-the-Biggest-Pancia Comp It’s Festitalia, it’s Father’s Day, and yes – this is an actual competition. Pancia = belly. May the biggest one win.