Baguio's Giant Pizza

I was there. Surely, this one isn't just another handheld treat. It measured 28 feet in diameter and an inch thick. It's enough to feed thousands! Witnessing that great big pizza, my nostrils stimulated by the strong cheese and toppings aroma, being there was one great experience when over a hundred kitchen brigade worked together in order to make such a magnificent pizza.

We were there even before mall opened, the event being held at SM Baguio. With my team working with one of our big pizza clients, the assembly was done on the spot to ensure that everything would be perfectly done, up to the last piece of the pizza puzzle.

Media was early, covering each and every part of the preparation. The other teams brought in their pizzas piping hot, already baked in their respective kitchens.







We were the only ones who baked on the spot- which was a good thing, since the attention was all ours early on - as they all witnessed us putting the sauce, sprinkling the cheese and putting the toppings. After subjecting it in the pizza oven, (yup, we brought in one) it was like putting together one big puzzle. Piece by piece, it was arranged on the slice mold provided by the organizer - that is HRAP Baguio.

Prior to putting the pizza on the slice plate provided by the organizer, the plate was covered with foil and drizzled with olive oil to ensure that the crusts won't stick to the pan.


The pizza pieces are then put together to form the giant slice - each participant was tasked to form a slice with a size of about 11feet long and 8 feet wide.


When all the pieces are put together, the chefs re-heat the pizza using a blowtorch to ensure that the additional cheese and toppings are properly melted and heated.


It was then covered with cling wrap to ensure that it doesn't dry up while waiting for the unveiling.



Some of the participants were able to finish immediately, while some took time in finishing their creations. At the end of the day, it was not really about speed, but all about ensuring that the finished products were done perfectly - safe for consumption, full of flavor and of course, bursting with freshness.




When all participants were done with their slices, each slice was pushed to the center to create one magnificent pizza. The pizza featured 10 different flavors and was consumed in 10 minutes by residents of Baguio City. The feat is Baguio's way of celebrating its city's centennial.