International Pizza and Beer Carnival at California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen usually comes up with different festival and carnival and carves a new menu for the occasion. This time, I was invited to be part of the tasting of the International Pizza and Beer carnival menu. The menu consisted of pizza's from 9 countries and beer from 6 countries which one can relish at their nearest CPK outlet.

I started my evening with a Mango mist ecstasy which contained some mango juice, mint leaves, lemon topped with soda, simple yet refreshing drink. I later moved on to Pineapple twister which contained pineapple juice, pineapple, mint, lemon and tonic water.

Mango mist ecstasy

Pineapple twister

The first pizza which was served was Southwest Burrito Pizza from Mexico, A regular crust with spicy black bean sauce, grilled onions, cottage cheese, fire roasted chillis, mozzarella and cheddar cheese served with sour cream. A veg pizza to start with and yes, I was impressed with the taste, rue to the Mexican taste.

Southwest Burrito Pizza

The next pizza which came was Cheeseburger pizza from the USA, a regular crust topped with their homemade sauce, sliced gherkins (pickled cucumber), mozzarella and cheddar cheese with some chunky chicken burger with caramelized onions and crushed black pepper seated on top of the pizza. Hot pizza with cold chicken burger salad was a perfect combination and the taste of the chicken lingered around my tongue for a long time.

Cheeseburger pizza from the USA

Beijing style veg pizza from China was served which contained soya and garlic flavored button mushrooms, baby corn, bell peppers and shiitake cooked over a fiery schezwan sauce with mozzarella and cheddar cheese on a regular crust and garnished with scallions (green onions). The taste of scallions was evenly spread over the entire pizza. Veggies who enjoy scallions and mushroom should try this.

Beijing style veg pizza from China

I was waiting for Fish and Chips Pizza from United Kingdom since the start and it was then served. A thin crispy crust loaded with CPK tartare sauce, mozzarella, onion rings, fried fish and sprinkles of some capers with crispy spiced fried served resting atop on the crust and served with lime cream sauce. Those who are fond of fish and chips will like it's new version.

Fish and Chips Pizza

It was time for Kasundi Paneer Pizza from India. It was the best pizza had during the evening. A trio of cottage cheese, roasted pepper and tomato marinated in Indian spiced mustard sauce (Kasundi) topped with mozzarella and garnished with coriander on a thin crust. Every bite of the pizza made me crave for more. Surely a instant hit with everyone.

Kasundi Paneer Pizza

Next pizza was Capriciossa Pizza from Italy. A thin crust smothered with Italian pomodoro  and mozzarella cheese topped with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives and fresh sliced mushroom cooked with fresh mozzarella, grated parmesan and garnished with hand torn basil which left a strong taste on the entire pizza. This pizza needs to be had quickly before the crust becomes moist due to the cheese used on it. Also, the taste of artichoke hearts and basil is strong in every bite.

Capriciossa Pizza from Italy

Sauerbraten Pizza from Germany was served. This pizza contained traditional sauerkraut (sour cabbage), shredded chicken, sliced onion, mozzarella cheese on a regular crust baked to a crisp golden crust and topped with German potato salad. The taste was very sour due to sauerkraut and the potato salad dominated the taste of the entire pizza and did not impress me much.

Sauerbraten Pizza

The last pizza which I tasted was Brussels Pizza from Belgium. Pesto marinara, saute spinach, sliced mushroom, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan cheese on a thin bubbly crust  I remembered the cartoon, Popeye and named it 'the Popeye Pizza' after the look and taste of spinach on the pizza. It was the second best veg pizza had during the evening.

Brussels Pizza

Rookwurst Pizza from Holland, traditional crust topped with marinara along with sliced onion, pork salami, smoky bratwurst sausage and hearty sprinkling of Dutch Gouda cheese and herbs. I did not taste this pizza as it contained pork.

Rookwurst Pizza

I ended my meal with the very-famous Tiramisu of CPK, I enjoyed indulging on my favorite dessert. It takes preparation time of 3 hours while the eating time was just 3 minute.

Tiramisu

My favorite pizza's had to be Cheeseburger pizza in chicken, Fish and Chips pizza in fish and Kasundi Paneer pizza in Veg.

You can pair these pizza's with Beer from 6 different countries, Corona from Mexico, Peroni from Italy, Miller from The USA, Kingfisher Ultra from India, Heineken from Holland and Fuller's London pride from the United Kingdom.

The on-going International Pizza and Beer Carnival started on 18th September 2014 and ends on 19th October 2014. Rush to your nearest CPK outlet and enjoy the delicious pizza and pair it with your favorite beer.