Conyers' Sharpiros Pizzeria Wins $50,000 for Community Engagement, Courtesy of Food Critic Keith Lee and Toast

In a heartwarming turn of events, Conyers-based Sharpiros Pizzeria was awarded a generous $50,000 following a campaign by Toast — a provider of restaurant point-of-sale systems. The national competition sought to honor restaurants that go the extra mile in service and community support, with Sharpiros emerging from numerous submissions to take the top spot, as reported by WSBTV.

Renowned TikTok food critic Keith Lee, teaming up with the tech company, made the surprise delivery himself earlier this week, choosing the pizzeria led by its giving back philosophy. According to a statement obtained by FOX5 Atlanta, Lee remarked, "This place is a pillar of the community — from mentoring local kids to rewarding students for academic achievement with free pizza." Aside from their community engagement, Sharpiros is also celebrated for its innovative culinary offerings such as the jerk oxtail pizza and a Philly cheesesteak-inspired "Renaissance" pizza.

Aside from the sizeable prize for Sharpiros, Lee didn't stop there, extending his generosity to other establishments. Two additional Georgia restaurants, including The Wing Suite in Lawrenceville, were each granted $5,000, thereby amplifying his support for the local restaurant scene. This gestures of solidarity comes after Lee's contentious history with the Atlanta food scene, where his critique last year placed the city at the low end of his national food city ranking, as stated in a WSBTV interview.

Keith Lee is known not just for his viral food reviews but for his impacts in Georgia, including a previous initiative where he funded Tacos y Mariscos Ofelia in Warner Robins, paying the eatery's rent for three months as well as providing $900 for free meals to help during struggling times. Giving away food at a local pop-up in April, he made a quiet return to Atlanta's food scene despite prior backlash. Lee's commitment to community and food justice continues to resonate, as he's scheduled to grace Blavity Fest at the end of May, detailed by FOX5 Atlanta.