Day 1 -- The East Division

Today was the tip-off for Pagliacci’s March Madness Best Cook Competition. 13 cooks gathered at our Bridle Trails location with their carefully selected dough ball in tote. Each cook tosses, sauces, cheeses, and cooks a cheese pizza.

The pizza is then graded rigorously by the judges – with all competitors looking on. Unlike our other pizza gradings (trust me, we do a lot), this time we add points for any flaw. This score is then added to the time it took to toss, top, and launch the pizza. The cooks with the lowest scores move on to the next round to do it all over again.

Because of scheduling conflicts, 3 competitors could not attend today but will get their chance at another location. For that reason, only one competitor – Associate Manager Khalil Mardini from Crossroads – is assured of moving on. Khalil decided, unlike some other competitors, to let his skills do the talking. Not only did his pizza get the fewest points added for flaws but he also posted the fastest time, putting all other regions on notice that he is a serious contender to take home the trophy when all is said and done. Other highlights included several instances of students surpassing the master: cooks Zach Linder and Terry Hang from Bridle Trails both learned to toss from their GM… and then beat him. Bellevue Square’s Shift Leader Tony Schaeffer edged out his AM, Adrian Aramburu – who has 9 year’s experience on his pupil.

Tomorrow it’s off to Valley Delivery Kitchen, as the Southwest Division kicks off. There are plenty of rivalries, both within stores and between. Three of the favorites are all former fellow crewmembers – over their combined 28 years with Pagliacci they have moved and grown, but remain competitive. Good luck to all tomorrow!

 Adrian Aramburu from Bellevue gives the Neo wave daring his co-workers to bring it.

Zach Linder’s follow through on his smooth tossing style makes him a legend at Bridle Trails

Tony Schaffer from Bellevue demonstrates his hand-eye coordination.