When ordering a pie at Bailey's Pizza Co. in Toledo, it may be a toss-up between extra cheese or anchovies, but when it comes to dough-throwing prowess there's no debate: The hands-down - or should we say up? - winner is 11-year-old Josh Bailey.

The sixth-grader, who first tried his hand at tossing dough five years ago in his dad Aaron's restaurant, has demonstrated his talents nationwide on ESPN, CNN, ABC News, NBC News and "Good Morning America." He's also won numerous national contests, including a first-place award in last summer's Acrobatic Pizza Tossing competition in Orlando, Florida, sponsored by Pizza Marketing Quarterly, a trade publication for the pizza restaurant industry. 

Josh has mastered the art of acrobatic dough styling. Under the legs? No problem. Behind the back? He's your man.

"He created some pretty cool new tricks for the summer competition, including some pretty neat elbow moves I had never seen before, " says U.S. Pizza Team coordinator Caroline Felker. Participants were graded in the categories of originality, creativity and difficulty of routine.

"I'm always trying to come up with different moves," Josh explains. "I've been working on one where I jump up and catch the dough and kick it with my foot." (Of course this is for practice only. It won't end up slathered in sauce as part of an entree.)

"It wasn't that hard to learn," Josh adds. "It was like having a hobby and it was something I could always do."

 

Since most of his TV appearances have been broadcast from New York City, Josh has received the royal treatment. But, his father is quick to add, it hasn't gone to his head. "It's just another day to him," Aaron says. "He gets to ride in a limo and has had suites reserved in his name, but it hasn't changed him."

For more information about Josh's accomplishments, visit www.throwdough.com/nationalcomp.htm or www.baileyspizzacompany.com.