The very first National Pizza Day is happening on Aug. 15, and it’s going to be hosted by the premium pizza authority California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). The date also marks the 15th anniversary of Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (GRCI), the company responsible for setting up the first CPK restaurant outside the United States in 1998. And in line with its celebration, CPK is launching a one-day free pizza promo for all its diners.
Every dine-in order of any regular or thin-crust CPK pizza on Aug. 15 entitles the diner to another free pizza to be selected from CPK’s bestselling choices: BBQ Chicken Pizza, pepperoni, five-cheese and fresh tomato, Hawaiian bacon pizza or traditional cheese. And by adding only P50, diners can get a refillable Coca-Cola.
Also part of its 15th year celebration, CPK is introducing a host of new menu items that’s 100 percent Filipino-made and conceptualized, but still having that California twist.
“We have a very close relationship with CPK International, which allows us to work closely with them in making the brand strong as ever,” says GRCI president and chief executive officer Archie Rodriguez. “And right now, all the new dishes will only be exclusively available in the Philippines.”
During the National Pizza Day, CPK will serve its new menu additions, which include the prosciutto pizza. It’s made with Italian prosciutto with fresh arugula and mozzarella, shaved parmesan and sliced tomatoes on caramelized thin pizza crust. There’s also the vegetarian pizza, a marinara sauce and mozzarella thin crust pizza topped with grilled eggplant, fresh button mushrooms, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted corn, broccoli, Gorgonzola cheese, and pine nuts.
“Pizza is California Pizza Kitchen’s heart and soul,” explains Rodriguez. “For the past 15 years, we have served innovative pizzas that have set the bar high — adding a California twist on each flavor that resonated with our guests, and we have inspired others in the industry to follow. We intend to surprise our guests this year and once again set the trend by introducing pizzas that are out of the ordinary.”
Aside from the two new pizza dishes, CPK will also introduce the fried mozzarella sticks, quesadilla, Spinach salad with grilled spicy sausage links on the side, and the Asian chicken wrap with wasabi dressing and teriyaki sauce on the side for its starters. While for more filling dishes, guests can try the lasagna Milanese, black seafood pomodoro with tagliatelle Nero, Mu Shu chicken calzone and the cheese steak sandwich made from USDA tender steak strips.
CPK also concocted a new thirst quencher to match its pizza and pasta dishes, the Fruit Sangria, which is a mixture of chardonnay, mango and orange juices with slices of grapes, green apples and oranges.
Usually, CPK changes its dishes or introduces something new every six months to keep its menu always exciting.
“However, CPK International is very strict about releasing new menu dishes,” shares GRCI chief financial officer Griffith Go. “But since we have a very good track record and have gained the confidence of CPK International, I believe that they have allowed us to create our own dishes as long as it still maintains that unique and distinctive CPK flavor or look. Of course, we still go through the process of sending the dish to them for approval and so on.”
Indeed, diners are guaranteed that even if CPK is serving new dishes from the menu, these all passed the standards set by CPK International. In fact, most of the ingredients are even imported from the US, hence diners can expect an authentic Californian cuisine. Also, one is assured that when s/he dines in at CPK, s/he will experience the same CPK dining experience like that of the US.
Go believes that the trust GRCI has earned from CPK International all started when they introduced the adobo pizza and it became one of the bestsellers. At first, GRCI was also authorized to just operate five branches in Metro Manila, but now, they have seven branches and even have plans of expanding some more. To date, CPK is found in 250 locations across the US and in 11 other countries.
“Fifteen years in the industry is a triumph in itself,” affirms Rodriguez. “When people think about premium pizzas, CPK is top of mind. Our pizzas and other dishes have always been associated with quality. CPK came at a time when other brands had already established their hold on the Philippine market. But what separated us from the rest is the kind of California-style cuisine and American family dining concept that we introduced, and it was immediately embraced by our upscale market.”
While this is the first National Pizza Day, CPK promises that this certainly won’t be the last.
Celebrate National Pizza Day at CPK restaurants in Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenhills Promenade, Trinoma, Power Plant Mall and Greenbelt 5. For more information, visit www.cpk.com.ph.