From the Editor’s desk: July/August 2013

The heat’s dialled up, and for many pizzerias, that means business has dialled down.

The heat’s dialled up, and for many pizzerias, that means business has dialled down. School orders are done and the ease of outdoor grilling becomes the season’s competitor. We wish everyone a happy Canada Day, and offer a clink of the glass for having the good fortune to call this country home.

For Canadian Pizza, it’s a good time to do a little housekeeping to help you stay abreast of what’s going on at your Canadian industry magazine and learn how you can get involved.

The Pizza with Purpose contest sponsored by Saputo Foodservice is well underway and has a new online nomination system. Readers can go to Canadian Pizza online at www.canadianpizzamag.com, and scroll down the right side where they will find a Pizza with Purpose box that will take them to the mini-site that lists rules, FAQs and details about online entry. The deadline for full submissions is Aug. 31. There is no need to nominate in advance this year. Simply send us your detailed account of charitable activities that took place from Sept. 1, 2012, right up to the deadline.

The Canadian Pizza Show has a new location this year. We’ll be hosting a one-day event on Oct. 29 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont. The second edition of the show offers free admission, and the chance to network with some of Canada’s most successful pizza makers. The format is a mix of speakers and trade show time. Our speaker program focuses on great marketing promotions and gluten-free food. The value of gluten-free products is estimated at $90 million in Canada and sales are expected to grow 10 per cent until 2018 with a value of $145 million (SPINS and Packaged Facts). We are pleased to provide a forum for a Canadian discussion and perspective on serving gluten-free pizza through the Canadian Pizza Show. Thank you to our lead sponsors – PizzaMaster distributed by Alfa Food Service, Stanislaus, Saputo Foodservice and Santa Lucia cheese – along with all our 2013 exhibitors for their support of Canada’s only dedicated pizza show.

Our annual Chef of the Year contest sponsored by Saputo Foodservice and Moretti Forni (distributed by Euro-Milan) is next up on the Canadian Pizza calendar. The deadline for entries is Nov. 22. Give us a winning recipe and you’ll be off to Las Vegas competing against world-class pizzaiolos (and having a blast, I assure you). Canada, get ready to kick butt!

On a final housekeeping note, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) launched its online portal to help its pizza-making members get set up with the new mozzarella discount. Alternatively, go to www.milkingredients.ca (Canadian Dairy Commission) and click on 3D cheese.

We’ve got a lot going on in the Canadian pizza scene! We at Canadian Pizza are proud to be the voice of the Canadian pizza industry and look forward to hearing from you in the months ahead.