As convenience store brands continue to elevate their pizza game, acclaimed Italian pizzaiolo Michele D’Amelio has teamed up with EG America to create the menu for Alanza Pizza, a new concept at a Cumberland Farms store in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
EG America owns and operates 1500-plus convenience stores across the country. Alanza Pizza is one of three new and innovative concepts unveiled at the Cumberland Farms location, along with Burger Baby and Wing Trip. They’ll offer on-demand meals that customers can order either in-store or through DoorDash for delivery. Plans call for expansion of the concepts to other stores in the future.
D’Amelio was born and raised in Naples and started operating his first pizzeria at the age of 21. In March 2013 he won the Italian Division competition at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and went on to win second place in the Pizza Napoletana DOC category at the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy, the following year. He later collaborated with Orlando Food Sales and Molino Caputo as well as the Ciao tomatoes brand. In 2015, he joined the culinary team at A Mano, a Neapolitan trattoria in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he served as head pizzaiolo.
According to a press release, D’Amelio has created the “ultimate pizza” for Alanza. Described as “a delicious combination of traditional Neapolitan techniques with the flavors synonymous with the Italian-American dining hot spots of New York and New Jersey,” they feature a tender, slightly crispy crust and toppings like pesto, slow-cooked Bolognese sauce, and meatballs.
“Offering our guests award-winning food options—that can be delivered to their door—is new and exciting for us,” said John Carey, president and CEO of EG America. “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and differentiate ourselves while also meeting the needs of our guests who are looking for high-quality, made-to-order meals and convenience.”
Also at the Cumberland Farms store, the new Wing Trip concept’s menu combines classic chicken wing flavors, like Buffalo and Lemon Pepper, with new-school inspirations from around the world, such as Spicy Miso or Tandoori Wings, plus Nashville Hot for a kick.
Burger Baby, meanwhile, “nods to tradition before putting a new spin on classic smash-style burgers with truffle aioli, sweet-and-tangy barbecue sauce, and more,” according to the press release. “The burgers come from legendary butcher Pat LaFrieda and are served on deliciously soft, toasted rolls.”
