Help celebrate Canada’s pizza pioneers

Fifty years may seem a blink of an eye when you’re running a busy pizzeria and managing all that goes with it.

We at Canadian Pizza think 50 years is a long time to survive and thrive – and a milestone worth celebrating!

The independent, family-owned and -operated pizzeria truly is the foundation of this country’s fresh pizza industry and a touchstone of large cities and small communities alike.

Let’s face it, running a small business has never been easy. Keeping on top of what customers want, managing schedules, motivating staff, scouting the best ingredient prices, supporting community activities – all with an eye on that important bottom line – on some days takes nothing short of superhuman powers.

That’s why pizzerias that have been in business for 50 years or more are nothing short of heroes in our books!

To honour their achievement, Canadian Pizza will pay tribute to our own pizza heroes this year by featuring the stories behind some of the pioneers who helped shape the industry and give us a glimpse into Canada’s pizza past.

To tell your stories, we need to know about them. That’s where you, our loyal readers, come in.

Here’s how you can share:

·      Do you own or work in a pizzeria that has been in business for 50+ years? Let us know!

·      Do you know of a pizzeria that’s been in business for 50+ years? Tell us about it!

·      Do you know a seasoned pizza pro who has been in the pizza business since 1966 or earlier? If so, make with the details!

·      Do you have photos of your pizzeria’s early days? Email us high-resolution photos or snail-mail us high-quality copies (no originals, please) of your favourite classic photos.

Three ways to get in touch:

·      Call editor Colleen Cross at 519-428-3471, ext. 261

·      Email ccross@annexweb.com

·      Send details via snail mail to Colleen Cross c/o Canadian Pizza, P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Drive South, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5

 
The deadline for submissions is July 31. Please help Canadian Pizza salute those pizza pioneers who laid the foundation for others by taking a leap of faith when pizza was not such a household word in Canada to thrive and become an important part of their community.