SUMMER is the perfect season to gather friends and family, share your moments and bond over sumptuous meals at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK).

There is definitely more to CPK than just its world-famous gourmet pizzas. Diners also flock to CPK to savor its salads, made-to-order pastas, soups, sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. While you can never go wrong with classic favorites such as The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Kung Pao Spaghetti, Thai Crunch Salad, Spinach Artichoke Dip and Key Lime Pie, CPK also serves up new delectable selections to tease your taste buds.

Go with Mexican-inspired Baja Fish Tacos and Steak Tacos, or have a light but filling meal with CPK’s freshly made sandwiches like Chicken Club or Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad served with salad or soup on the sides. Indulge everyone with meaty pizza options like Cheeseburger Pizza and The Meat Cravers, or order any of the latest barbecue chicken pizza varieties such as BBQ Chicken with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken.

For heat-busting thirst quenchers, try any of CPK’s latest concoctions from smoothies, flavored frozen lemonades to tropical fruit drinks. Not to be left out, kids also have their own unique CPKids menu to enjoy: kid-size pizza, pasta or chicken meal that comes with soda, milk or chocolate milk drink. You can also order a small serving of fresh fruits or dessert for your little tots.

So this summer, enjoy great food and great company by heading over to any California Pizza Kitchen branch in Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenhills Promenade, Trinoma, Power Plant Mall and Greenbelt 5.

Malaya Business Insight

After celebrating 13 successful years of offering great food and first-rate service California Pizza Kitchen launches two exciting innovations to add to your dining pleasure and convenience.

All for one

First up, CPK introduces Small Cravings items on the menu. These are personal-sized servings of appetizer and dessert dishes with that distinct CPK flavor and flair. These include the healthy and hearty Tricolore Wrap – Waldorf Chicken chunks combined with diced tomatoes, chilled arugula, baby red leaf lettuce, radicchio, almond flakes, and shaved Parmesan cheese tossed in homemade Dijon balsamic vinaigrette all wrapped up in a caramelized Parmesan flour tortilla; and the awesomely crunchy White Corn Guacamole and Chips — Fresh avocado, sweet white corn kernels, black beans, crunchy jicama, green scallions, red bell pepper, cilantro, and Serrano peppers served with blue & white corn tortilla chips on the side. For those who want it meaty, there’s the tender Thai Chicken Satay: skewers of grilled chicken breast slices that were marinated with ginger, lemon, ground peanuts, and minced serrano peppers, served with Thai peanut sauce for even more flavor.

Seafood lovers can opt for the mild-hot Bang Bang Shrimp, which is slightly spiced shrimp with a sweet and sour flavor, sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with slivered scallions on a bed of irresistibly crispy rice sticks; or the White Tuscan Beans with Shrimp, a delectable dish of Cannellini beans with shrimp, garlic, chilies, and Italian parsley bits sautéed in olive oil and served on a sauce bed of lemon juice, butter, and Parmesan Cheese. These can all be washed down with the latest addition to the beverage list, the Cucumber Chill, a healthy blend of cucumbers, monin cucumber syrup, simple syrup, and a zesty spike of lemon juice. A sinful end to accompany any CPK dining experience is the new dessert sampler dish, which combines baked apples with walnut crumble, Belgian chocolate soufflé cake with CPK’s triple thick hot fudge, topped with whipped cream and a cherry, and a fresh banana peanut butter parfait served in a shot glass.

One for all

This holiday season, CPK also launches its party catering services. Before large groups could only reserve tables at the CPK outlets for their party and order their favorite menu items en masse, they can now hold their parties and corporate functions at the CPK restaurants with a full buffet set up and special party packages that include the whole range of their favorite pizzas, pastas, appetizers and desserts. Special arrangements may also be made with offsite events, where customers can request for a full service set-up at their party place of choice.

This service is particularly convenient for party people who want to offer the trademark CPK great food to their special guests at any occasion. Instead of having to face the guesswork involved with ordering items from the CPK menu to fit the guest list and the budget, they may choose from the catering packages, or have a package tailor-fit to their needs. At the same time, they are assured of receiving the high-quality professional service that is provided by the customer-friendly CPK staff on hand during their special occasion.

To inquire about the catering services, you may contact CPK in Glorietta (893-9898), Alabang Town Center (850-5771), Shangri-La Plaza Mall (687-7841 to 42), Greenhills Promenade Mall (725-7377), Trinoma (901-3881 to 92), Power Plant Mall (895-3447) or Greenbelt 5 (401-7160). Or send an email to catering@cpk.com.ph.

Father’s Day is one of those occasions that kids look forward to as they put in all their efforts to give something special for their dads.  They either flex their creative muscles to make a Father’s Day greeting card or whip up something simple and nice like a Father’s Day cookie, which they decorate on their own.  This is usually the scenario when this time of the year approaches.

But then, there are other sides of Father’s Day that are not as usual as Dad and the entire family going out on that special day.  Father’s Day isn’t only for the kids and their dads to enjoy.  Take for example the relationship of a father-in-law with his son-in-law.  This is a whole different take on Father’s Day as this involves a father-and-son relationship that is beyond what is biological.  Fathers-in-law and sons-in-law are not always expected to be in a harmonious relationship; though there are circumstances that they really get along well just like a true father and son.  But, as a son-in-law, being able to express appreciation and honor to his father-in-law is a good way to jumpstart a much healthier relationship; and Father’s Day is good occasion to start.

And then, there’s the case of the first time dad.  While it is exciting to finally celebrate Father’s Day as an actual dad, celebrating this occasion, for the most part, involves some sort of a bonding time between fathers and their kids; but then, if the kid is too young to actually grasp the meaning of the occasion, Father’s Day somehow loses its value.  Dad would have to wait for his kid a little while  to be old enough to finally understand what Father’s Day is all about.

But the great thing about this occasion is that it suggests the idea of togetherness.  Whether it’s with Dad, Father-in-Law, or First-time Dad, nothing beats the feeling of being with the people closest to you during Father’s Day.  And maybe, that is the logic behind these kinds of occasions being set on a Sunday; because Sunday is indeed a family day.

This is the same belief that California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) shares this Father’s Day.  It doesn’t really matter what kind of father-child relationship you have; as long as the people who are dear to you are with you this occasion, that’s all that really matters.  To make it even more meaningful, CPK offers the best food suggestions that can be shared by the entire family as they celebrate.  Having somebody to enjoy great dishes with makes the occasion all the more unforgettable.  Add to that the fact that sharing good food together is a great way to form stronger bonds among loved ones.

This Father’s Day, CPK offers two of its well-loved dishes.  For a minimum single receipt food purchase of P1500.00, receive a  gift voucher which entitles you to a FREE Chicken Marsala or Jambalaya on your next visit.  Just present the voucher to any CPK restaurant and enjoy your treat on us.

For fathers-in-law and sons-in-law who are celebrating together, the wide range of food selections at CPK is somehow a good way to get to know each other more; as the menu bursts with all sorts of dishes that cater to everyone’s taste.  As for those first-time dads, introducing Dad’s CPK favorites to the kids this early can already create a some sort of tradition that whenever Father’s Day comes, Dad’s favorites from CPK are the ones to order.

This June 20, make it a CPK Father’s Day by making your way to any of the its branches: Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La, Greenhills, TriNoma, Rockwell, and Greenbelt 5.  For more details on celebrating Father’s Day at CPK, visit www.cpk.com.ph or CPK’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CPKPhilippines, or  follow CPK on Twitter, www.twitter.com/CPKPhilippines.

Give mom the day off and treat her out on her special day at CPK. Enjoy CPK’s latest culinary fare expanding from delectable starters like Sonora Egg Rolls to a tempting slice of Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake. Moms will surely love the succulent taste of Pesto Cream Penne or the creamy Four Cheese Ravioli. The Buffalo Chicken and Pesto Chicken Pizzas are the delicious additions to CPK’s famous pizza line.

As a treat, CPK will give out a free Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae dessert with P1,500 minimum dine-in purchase until May 17. Visit any CPK restaurant and show mom your love this whole month of May.

Aside from being a geek flick expression, the word Eureka! is also a motto used by California, a US state whose diverse population hails from the four corners of the globe.

Literally meaning “I have found it!”, Eureka! perfectly describes the dynamism of California’s migrants who arrive in search of prosperity and a sense of community. This multicultural convergence has resulted in a Californian cuisine that combines American, Mexican, French, Japanese and other numerous influences.

Bringing this unique gastronomy to the Philippines is California Pizza Kitchen. As the leader in authentic Californian fare, CPK satisfies the search for culinary adventure among Filipino foodies with new dishes that elicit Eureka! with every bite.

Starting October 15, Filipinos can enjoy the Adobo Chicken Pizza, Ginger Salmon, Chicken Dumpling Soup, and Asparagus and Spinach Spaghettini.

Those who crave for classic homegrown flavor can chew on Adobo Chicken Pizza, the first Filipino pizza flavor to be included in any CPK menu. Adobo Chicken Pizza is made from grilled garlic chicken pieces, red and green onions, tomatoes, roasted garlic, mozzarella cheese; and is marinated in a famous blend of Adobo chicken sauce.

Meanwhile, fish fanatics can reel in the flavorful Ginger Salmon—its pan-sautéed Atlantic salmon is topped with chopped cilantro, green onions, snow peas, sesame seeds and a sweet ginger sauce. This newcomer can be served with wok-stirred vegetables, Mandarin noodles or garlic rice.

Complementing these novel fish and meat dishes is the Asparagus and Spinach Spaghettini. This light pasta is sprinkled with sautéed asparagus, spinach, fresh tomatoes, and basil garlic for a tasty dish that veggie lovers will enjoy.

Lastly, delicious warmth is also within easy reach this cold season with the Chicken Dumpling Soup. This savory blend of sesame oil, garlic, red onions, eggs, chicken dumplings, chili oil and green onions is the perfect pick-me-up amid the cool weather.

From the savory Adobo Chicken Pizza to the herby Asparagus and Spinach Spaghettini, the new offerings of California Pizza Kitchen provide a culinary Eureka! that excites as well delights the palate.

Filipinos who live for classic homegrown cuisine can now find slices of adobo heaven to be literally within easy reach. Because after a decade of serving pizzas like Thai Chicken and Jamaican Jerk that hail from global cuisines, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has now gone Pinoy, elevating the local adobo as a premium pizza dish.

A First for Adobo

The Filipino Adobo Pizza is the first Philippine flavor to be included in any CPK menu and will be served exclusively in local CPK branches. And given that adobo has captured the hearts of people around the globe, it also holds the potential to join the list of premium pizza flavors listed in CPK menus worldwide.

The Filipino Adobo Pizza is made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Grilled garlic chicken marinated in a famous blend of Adobo chicken sauce sits above a pizza crust filled with red and green onions, red bell peppers, roasted garlic, and mozzarella cheese.

The recent launch of the Filipino Adobo Pizza is a fitting salvo to the 10th year anniversary of CPK in the Philippines. Larry S. Flax, the co-Founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen, even flew in directly from the United States to join the unveiling of this Filipino culinary milestone.

A Decade of Serving Premium Pizzas

“I remember a decade ago, when we first ventured to the Philippines—our very first franchise outside the United States,” remembers Flax.

“The expansion started out pretty well. And over the years, the California Pizza Kitchen brand steadily gained its place in the hearts and palates of Filipinos. So that today, with the launching of the Filipino Adobo Pizza, I am confident that many will appreciate their local favorite, the adobo, re-imagined as a California-style pizza,” says Flax.

Larry Flax, a co-founder of the world-famous pizza chain, was named co-President in January 2004 and has served as co-Chief Executive Officer (“co-CEO”) since July 2003. He and his partner Rick Rosenfield worked hard to make CPK a leader in authentic California-style cuisine with more than 240 branches in 33 states and nine countries.

Here in the Philippines, CPK has also accomplished significant milestones in the past decade. After awarding the Philippine franchise to Global Restaurants Concepts Inc., CPK has steadily grown in the country, expanding from its first store in Alabang Town Center to five other locations including Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenhills Promenade, Glorietta 3, Trinoma and Power Plant Mall.

Known for providing great-tasting pizzas as well as outstanding service, CPK branches have also received accolades in recent years. In 2006, CPK Glorietta received a citation from CPK US as the “International Franchise Operator of the Year”, while CPK Alabang was awarded the Marketing Excellence Values award in the 9th Annual Ayala Malls Merchants Awards. Then in 2007, the Department of Trade and Industry awarded CPK Philippines as the  “Model Company of the Year”.

2008 also promises to be a banner year for CPK Philippines as it celebrates its 10th year anniversary in the country. One of the main activities lined up is the opening of a CPK branch at the posh Greenbelt 5. The Philippine franchise will also be launching its Gift and Loyalty Cards as well as the cpk.com.ph website.

Given these achievements and exciting developments, which include the launching of the Filipino Adobo Pizza, California Pizza Kitchen is set to continue its decade-long role as the undisputed leader in serving authentic, California-style pizzas.

For inquiries on reservation or delivery, call California Pizza Kitchen at 867-2115 to 16 (Glorietta 3), 850-5771 (Cortes de las Palmas, Alabang Town Center), 687-7841 to 42 (Shangri-La Plaza Mall), 725-7377 (Greenhills Promenade), 901-3881 to 82 (Trinoma) and 895-3447 (Power Plant Mall, Rockwell).