Rethinking Pizza: A CPK Experience

About a month ago, I got an invite to the California Pizza Kitchen's "Make Your Own Pizza" party at the Glorietta 3. I really didn't know what to expect. See I'm not really a fan of pizza. I'm not likely to choose it over hamburger or pasta. Sure I've tasted a few good ones, but to me pizza's just bread. Strange looking bread to be sure, but they're no more fun to eat than say a Floss Bread in Bread Talk.

Yes, call me strange but a slice of pizza holds no more excitement for me than a day in the mall. But not being one to shy away from food, I went anyway. Little did I know how the way I perceive pizza is about to change.

It was a cold rainy evening when I went to CPK. It's been raining for days in fact.

It's a good thing that we were warmly greeted by the following appetizers!

Garlic Cheese Foccacia with Checca

Sesame Ginger Chicken Dumplings

The concept for the event was that each blogger gets to choose and make one pizza from a selection of delectable delights. I've seen this one TV, I'm not sure I'm up to the task of spinning pizza doughs, chopping ingredients and all that stuff. It was a good thing they took out all the work in the process and just left us to use our hands to add art to their pizza.

Here's Archie Rodriguez (Philippine CPK Franchise Owner) showing us how easy-to-do and fun it is!

I chose the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza because I like to Reggae!

First, spread the Carribean sauce on the dough

Then the mozarella cheese... make sure to spread it evenly though, not like the mountain I made right there.

Then throw in the rest of the ingredients! (sorry, couldn't very well take photos while making pizza right?) Anyway, here's the recipe if you want to know.

Next they cook it in this large flaming oven.


And no matter how silly I was making it, it still came out perfect! (Or so I'd like to think!)

Now while waiting for your turn, they had this contest where you get to decorate a pizza box and think up a creative pick up line to entice the ladies (or guys) to take you home.

That's me with RJ Ledesma (the host) and my little inside joke.


Taran! Surely you didn't think that did ya?

Needless to say, I did not walk out with the MP3 Player. She did.

"Don't stop topping me up.


Although Liz might have given her a run for her money.

All in all it was a fun evening. I love the pizza. I think that thin crust is the only way to go. The flavors were unique and satisfing--not the run of the mill flavors one gets used to ordering. I went home full and happy. Now, I can't say I'm a pizza fan, but I'm sure a CPK fan now!

Bong with his Tri-colore Salad Pizza


Jeff (and Arpee) with his Greek Pizza (he says the name Greek Salad Pizza sounds more wicked though)

AJ who incidentally was celebrating his birthday that night with his Santa Fe Chicken Pizza


I shared a table with Regnard, his girlfriend and his Mango Tandoori Pizza


Also on the table was Sha and her Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza


And Karla with her Goat Cheese Pizza.


Arpee who was kind enough to share with me a slice of his Thai Chicken Pizza.


And that's Mica with her Tostado Pizza.

NB If you want to see the rest of the photos, feel free to head on over to my multiply site and check them out.