Maggie Tang
FROM a course in Italian restaurants to fast food for takeaway, pizza is now very common to local diners. However, it is unusual to see pizza acrobatics in Shenzhen, which makes the dining an even more entertaining and memorable experience.
For a week through Monday, prize-winning pizza acrobat Pasqualino Barbasso is showcasing his amazing skills and serving a wide range of delicious pizzas at the Prego Italian restaurant and the Cafe of Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Landmark Shenzhen.
Barbasso, from Sicily, was the champion of the 2001 World Pizza Acrobatics Competition. He then started traveling around the world to demonstrate his skills and present Italian cuisine.
Barbasso's pizza show is mainly pizza dough tossing or throwing. Instead of using a rod, the chef spins each dough block - first with his fingers, then with his hands - to turn them into different sized pizzas. While spinning a pizza, he may toss it up from behind his body, or from under his leg. Using a bigger ball of dough, Barbasso can easily make a two-meter diameter pizza. He can also toss three pizzas at the same time, which is really compelling. With his Italian humor, Barbasso interacts well with guests as he performs from table to table.
Matching the excellent performance is a pizza set menu prepared by the restaurnat's culinary team. The five-course dinner includes pan-pizza filled with prawn and arugula salad and lemon dressing, penne with broccoli and seared scallop, pizza with char-grilled beef tenderloin and cheese fondue or layered pizza (lasagna style) with river bass and caponata stew served with red pesto, a pizza dessert, and a soup.
Price: 338 yuan (US $ 48) per pizza dinner, plus 15 percent surcharge
Time: 11 am - 11:30 pm
Add: 3 / F, Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Landmark Shenzhen, 3018 Nanhu Road, Luohu District
Tel: 8217-2288 ext. 569
Metro: Guomao Station, Exit B