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Over the past year and a half or so you have been reading about PMQ's research into the Chinese pizza industry. Last year, PMQ attended the FHA show in Singapore where we assembled the PMQ Pizza Information Pavilion where we distributed essential pizza information, demonstrated equipment and products and networked with existing pizza companies there. Following up on that success, I have just returned from Shanghai, China, were PMQ attended and showcased the Pizza Information Pavilion once again but this time at the FHC China 2006 Food Show. What a huge and awakening surprise I got as my eyes where opened by the population density of Shanghai (the city's population: 14,608,512, of which 1.4 million are millionaires). That is a massive pool of pizza eaters who are located in just one city!
The Chinese were very keen to learn Western ways of pizza making and business, including the franchisee boom in China of chain food stores ranging from KFC (which is the number one growing franchise) to Papa John's and Pizza Hut. The economic growth of Australia is running at 3 percent but the Chinese Economy is going gangbusters at a whopping 10 percent, and with the deregulation of banks in China, you can only assume that is going to skyrocket with the Western banks coming into a deregulated marketplace. The middleclass population in China is rapidly growing and now has more disposable income to spend on consumable products (i.e.; fast food) than ever imagined.
There wasn't any problem finding the PMQ Pavilion at the show, all you had to do was look for the crowd. There were people who sat in the same chair taking notes and photos over the course of the entire three days trying to learn the craft of pizza making. We also produced China's very first pizza competition with 18 applicants battling it out to find the best pizza chef in China. Deep pan pizzas that were very close to American deep pan recipes were the order of the day judging from those that were entered. One person compared the look and taste of the pizzas being made to Pizza Hut's products from 15 to 20 years ago. The winner is going to PMQ's New York Pizza Show in March 2007 to represent China and compete in the 2007 Americas Plate against the Australian Team, America, Italy, and five other international teams.
The sponsors that supported the competition were overjoyed at the results and most all commented that they are more than happy in lending their support in a bigger way next year, which was very encouraging. Weihua Watson of PMQ (China/America) translated and organized the show from Oxford, Mississippi over the past year and I have to say that it was one of the best run and organized events that I have ever seen or witnessed…thanks for a job well done. The whole PMQ family was very happy that she is a strong part of our team.
We had a few Australian boys come along for the journey and strut their stuff as they demonstrated the art of Australian pizza making. Raphaele Brotzu, Theo Kalogeracos and Chef Paul (all from Perth, Western Australia) took time out of their businesses and made their way to China to do demonstrations and warmed the crowd up before the competition started each day, charming their way into the hearts of everyone in attendance. They had great results with successful pizza formulas and demonstrations, and the banter between them and the crowd was a huge hit. Weihua, acting as the interpreter, translated the jokes across to the overflowing Chinese crowd, who spoke little or no English. Nothing was lost in translation with this group…what they couldn't convey in English vocabulary, the boys made up for it with gestures. It was absolutely a hilarious formula that capped off an already resounding successful event.
The Ozzie Boys were very warmly received with demonstrations of everything from pizza making to showing the rowd how to mix dough. At one stage, they were standing o close and on top of each other to get the best vantage oint, I thought the crowd was going to fall into the mixing bowl. I would personally like to thank these guys for their never say die attitude and unselfishness in taking time out of their busy schedules and going to China to share their skills and for giving honest answers to questions from those at the show. The appreciation was shown on the last day of the demonstrations as nearly every local wanted to be photograph with each of them. They were chuffed with that.
The Aussie boys impressed the Shanghai crowd so much that organizers from the Hong Kong Food and Equipment Show invited them along to the Hong Kong show in May of 2007.
Think about coming along and giving them your support in May of 2007. You never know, we might have you up on stage making your pizza for the crowd. If you think you have seen a crowd of people at a pizza competitions, you haven't seen anything until you have attended a Chinese competition…they just cannot get enough.
If you are interested in going to PMQ's New York Pizza Show in March of 2007 and supporting the Australian team as they compete for a third consecutive win at PMQ's America Plate pizza competition, or would like to go to Hong Kong in May of 2007 for that show (you might pickup a pizza bargain) let us know and we can supply the information. Come on and give the industry some support and call it a business trip.
