In CPK’s crust, we trust
Innovation is, indeed, California Pizza Kitchen’s secret to longevity. For 17 years now, CPK, through its local partner Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (GRCI), has been teasing our taste buds with pizza variants that are far from ordinary.
Who could forget that day when fans of the tried-and-tested adobo eagerly lined up to sample the Adobo Chicken Pizza, which CPK launched to mark its 10th year in the country? Or the unforgettable flavor of the Peking Duck Pizza, which had strips of roasted duck, crispy fried wonton, shiitake mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and the hoisin ginger sauce that announced to the world just how innovative and different the pizza chain was? Here, the dough is hand-stretched (making the crust soft yet crisp), fresh and seasonal ingredients are used in unexpected ways, and the staff’s passion for food and service is impeccable.
Today, CPK Philippines continues to redefine the pizza wheel by putting everything on top as it launched a new batch of Filipino-inspired pizzas and dishes in time for the restaurant’s global summit of franchise partners held recently in Manila.
The summit, which gathered partners from across the US, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America, led by CPK executive chairman and CEO GJ Hart and senior vice president and executive director Rudy Sugueti, allowed participants to share their best practices. They were provided the resources to keep their businesses booming.
CPK also keeps its tradition of giving back to the community, as shown in the conference’s Inspired Acts Day. This time, franchise partners joined hands to support Kariton Klasrum, a charity that helps provide education to out-of-school youth.
At the launch, the summit participants had a taste of Pinoy hospitality and delectable cuisine as they feasted on the green mango salad, chorizo pizza (inspired by our Spanish heritage), and green mango pie (a sweet and tart green mango on a saltine cracker crust) which, by the way, are now part of CPK’s new menu.
“With the country holding the honor of being the first international location for CPK, it seemed only fitting for the host to present homegrown highlights of its menu,” explained Archie Rodriguez, GRCI president and CEO. “Aside from the green mango salad, chorizo pizza and the green mango pie, we have a lot of items on our menu, which are unique to the Philippines. There are the all-time US favorites like the BBQ Chicken and Sicilian Pizzas, and the Thai Crunch salad.”
Rounding out the new menu are the Breakfast Pizza, which is like eating an open ham and egg sandwich, but this time with argula; the Korean Beef Pizza with grilled beef slices, caramelized onions with a spicy salad mix; and the Grilled Veggies + Goat Cheese, which reminds me of CPK’s Farmer’s Pizza. But for me, the star of the menu is the Epic Fries topped with marinated chicken breast with pan-roasted veggies and homemade Argentinean-inspired chimichurri sauce.
“As CPK marks its 17th year here in the country, we realized that to be the restaurant of choice, we need to make our guests’ dining experience extraordinary and memorable each and every time. Because of our long-time relationship with CPK US, we have been able to create dishes unique to the Philippines, which our guests look forward to, appreciate, and enjoy,” enthused Rodriguez.
The CPK menu is constantly evolving and its loyal diners welcome this change with an open heart — and a happy stomach!
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The new menu is being rolled out across CPK locations nationwide this month. With Christmas parties just around the corner, CPK’s Catering Services offers adult and children’s party packages starting at only P450 per person.
For inquiries, visit CPK branches at W Global Center, BGC; TriNoma, Greenbelt 5, Alabang Town Center, Promenade Greenhills, Power Plant Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Eastwood Mall and Harbour Point Subic.
