Bay proves sizzling success for pizza man Chris

Pizza supremo Chris Wood has been awarded for his Hawke's Bay efforts.

The Australian has been named Franchise Manager of the Year at the Domino's Pizza Australia and New Zealand Rally Awards, surpassing all other competition in Australasia.

The award recognises his hard work, professionalism and pizza prowess at the Napier City and Hastings Domino's Pizza stores, where he is a minor shareholder.

He said he was delighted to receive the accolade.

"I am passionate about Domino's and the product that we bring to our customers every day, so I was thrilled to be rewarded for my dedication," he said.

Domino's chief executive officer Don Meij said the Napier City and Hastings stores worked extremely efficiently thanks to Wood's dedication and exceptional management skills.

"The Hawke's Bay stores are some of the very best stores operationally in Australia and New Zealand alike and Wood's award is testament to this," he said.

Mr Wood came to New Zealand from Coffs Harbour as a manager for Domino's in Dunedin and did not find it to his liking.

"I had trouble with the climate here, after Australia's climate."

But then he discovered Hawke's Bay, which he says is much more to his liking.

He is an All Blacks supporter but the Kiwi conversion is incomplete - he is still single.