Pizza Chef: The New Generation
⭐ 8/10
👥 1-4 players
🕗 30-90 minutes
👨👩👧👦 10+
Goal:
Pizza Chef: The New Generation is set in a picturesque Italian village square, with a pizzeria at its heart. The pizza chef is ready to retire but wants to pass on his restaurant to the best pizzaiolo. To determine who that will be, he organizes a competition: the person who earns the most money by baking and delivering pizzas will be crowned the new pizza chef.
Game Mechanics and Progression:
In this game, players take on the role of pizza delivery drivers competing for the title. Each player has to deliver 8 pizzas, and once someone delivers their eighth pizza, the final round begins. The game board features ten houses, each with space for four pizzas. You start by drawing an order card, which tells you which house to deliver to, how much money you’ll earn, and which ingredients you’ll need.
You gather ingredients at the market, where strategic choices are crucial. Be careful: leftover ingredients result in penalty points, and mysterious bags can surprise you with spoiled ingredients. Meanwhile, you can collect chef notes for clever actions that give you an edge or sabotage your opponents.
In addition to the standard actions – such as accepting orders, buying ingredients, or delivering pizzas – you can also choose mission cards. These offer extra points if you complete them, but failed missions cost you points. Rivalry is everywhere: only four pizzas per house are accepted, and the first three deliverers receive tips. Deliver multiple pizzas to the same address, and you’ll earn big bonuses.
On your turn, you can perform two actions (even the same action twice). This keeps the game fast-paced and interactive. The variety of options adds strategic depth while keeping the gameplay accessible.
Expansion: The Sneaky Chef
An expansion is already available for Pizza Chef: The Sneaky Chef. With this expansion, you gain additional opportunities to hinder other players. Extra chef notes and missions provide more interaction, along with new scenarios where different rules apply each time.
Review:
Pizza Chef: The New Generation is an absolute gem. The Italian theme is well-executed, with a charming setting and vibrant artwork that captures the atmosphere of an authentic pizzeria beautifully. The environmentally friendly production is a delightful bonus.
The gameplay flows smoothly, with quick turns and minimal downtime, resulting in a dynamic gaming experience. The game masterfully blends strategy, rivalry, and a touch of humor—perfect for families and seasoned players alike.
The expansion adds more variety and interaction between players, making the game more tactical. With the included scenarios, no two games will ever be the same.
Conclusion:
Pizza Chef: The New Generation is a delightful family game with enough depth to satisfy fans of tactical board games. It combines simplicity with challenge, the fun of rivalry with strong thematic design. A must-play for anyone who loves games and pizza!
