When you hear the word pepperoni, you think of one thing that can be automatically associated with it… and it is what? but PIZZA. Yes, pepperoni is one of the ever popular flavors of pizzas (which for some pinoys, they call it picha pie). The other famous flavours for the common people (myself included) are Hawaiian, Meat-lover’s, Vegetable-lover’s, etc. But this changed when I joined last night’s Make-your-own Pizza launch of California Pizza Kitchen in Glorietta, Makati. They have a very appetizing menu. Of course, the classic flavors are there but CPK has its own twists and I call this innovations that only food inventors are capable of. We had a culinary adventure of recreating the bestselling pizzas of this resto. CPK has over 30 pizza offerings and I chose to make Santa Fe Chicken – Grilled chicken breast marinated in lime and herbs, caramelized onions, Mozzarella cheese and cilantro. Topped with fresh tomato salsa, sour cream and fresh guacamole. Look at these below. Aren’t they tempting?

 

While some guys were busy making their own pizzas, RJ Ledesma who hosted the event prepared a pizza box design making contest. The aim of the game is to come up with a nice pick up line for their pizza. The bloggers had very good entries and everyone who participated received a gift check. I cannot recall all the cool ones but this ‘Wanna taste my pepperoni?’ line from one of the bloggers.

 

The event lasted for more than 3 hours since everybody took turns in making their own pizzas. I needed to leave early because I had to go back to my office for a meeting at 12AM with the US people. Even though I was not able to make my own, I enjoyed eating the pizzas my friends made. It’s very interesting to know the different varieties, appearances, ingredients that can be combined together to make a unique flavor that will truly entice not only your taste buds but your eyes as well. One example of this is the Tricolore Salad Pizza – Caramelized Parmesan pizza crust topped with chilled arugula, baby red leaf lettuce, radicchio, diced tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese with our homemade Dijon balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Also available with grilled rosemary chicken breast, sautéed salmon, or grilled shrimp. It’s like a fresh vegetable salad with the a great flavored dough substituting for bread. A very healthy option. At CPK, you get to taste what the stars from Hollywood are enjoying back there in California while you are just here in Manila.

I will definitely go back to CPK next time. I’ll try the other flavors. I haven’t tried their bestseller yet, the BBQ Chicken Pizza which I heard is one of the original recipes used by Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, the founders of CPK. I’ll bring my loved ones with me. Till then when I share with them the taste of California in a box.