According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “Hoping to capitalize on the healthful halo that comes with its California roots, California Pizza Kitchen officials said Thursday they are planning a menu overhaul in June that will balance the good-for-you with indulgence.”

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., home of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, announced today they will be donating 100 percent of all dine-in sales from both of its Birmingham-area locations on May 9 and 10, to the Mid Alabama American Red Cross in support of those affected by the recent tornado.

Predictions range for 10 to 15 years before China overtakes the USA as the world’s largest import market for food and beverages. Regardless of the time frame, one fact that is undisputed by industry experts is that China, currently the fastest growing import food and wine market today, will one day become the biggest market in the world.

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), Inc., the largest association of professional chefs in North America, held its 2011 ACF Western Regional Conference at Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz., April 29-May 2, 2011. More than 25 chefs, students and chapters were honored at the conference, which was the last regional conference of the 2011 events series. Now all regional award finalists look ahead to the ACF National Convention in Dallas, July 22-26, 2011.

Asterleaf, Inc. announced today the release of www.aserversplace.com. This amazing site offers a FREE platform where Restaurant owners and managers throughout the world will be able to connect with any member of the website.

The National Restaurant Association has awarded Sinco Inc of Belmont, Massachusetts its 2011 Food & Beverage Product Innovation Award. The NRA’s April 22 statement recognizes Sinco for making “a significant impact in the restaurant industry.” Recognition was for Italian wood-fired, all-natural, hand-stretched pizza crusts made in Modena, Italy by Italpizza and marketed in the US by Sinco. Easy to prepare and quick to bake, these crusts give every pizza the look, aroma and taste of the finest from an Italian pizzeria.

Maple Leaf Farms is calling for entries for The 2011 Discover DuckTM Chef Recipe Contest now through August 5, 2011. Open to professional chefs and culinary students, the contest challenges entrants to create up to three original recipes that showcase duck in creative ways. Professional and student chef recipes will be judged in separate categories, each with their own cash prizes.

According to Money.MSN.com, “Domino’s says it offers 34 million possible combinations of pizza. And Starbucks has more than 87,000 options for coffee drinks. Good grief. No wonder some people can’t make up their mind.”

Love is in the air. From royal weddings to spring flings, America is in the mood to celebrate all things lovable, and Pizza Hut’s latest announcement is sure to make hearts swoon. Pizza Hut announced today that each delicious, topping-stacked pizza from the famous Lover’s Line® – Pepperoni Lover’s®, Meat Lover’s®, Veggie Lover’s® and the all new Ultimate Cheese Lover’s – is available at one low price of $10.99 for a limited time only.

According to Columbus Business First, “Donatos Pizzeria LLC is getting into the value menu business at a time when its customers are taking a closer look at everyday expenses while gas prices continue an upward climb.”

According to GlobeGazzette.com, “From the crust to the sauce to the toppings, North Iowa teens showed off their pizza prowess Tuesday during the annual PizzaThon competition in Clear Lake.”

Started in August of 2005 by native Brooklynite Tony Muia, “A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour” has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, The Travel Channel and the Food Network as well as in the pages of the New York Timpizza tour logoes, the London Times, Frommer’s NYC Guide and Lonely Planet.

According to SMH.com.au, “Customers of a Canberra pizza restaurant infested with cockroaches bought more than they bargained for last year, taking home pizza and pasta dishes with extra creepy crawlies.”

According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “As gasoline prices continue to rise, Pizza Hut’s largest franchisee said its delivery-oriented restaurants expect to see more consumers picking up their orders.”

According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “Domino’s Pizza chief executive Patrick Doyle said he would never be thrilled with a negative same-store sales result, even the chain’s 1.4-percent decrease for the March 27-ended first quarter, which was based on a 14.3-percent rise a year ago.”

During the month of May, all four neighborhood locations of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzerias have pledged a dollar-for-dollar donation match of up to $5,000 for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief.

Straw Hat Pizza, the original California Pizza since 1959, is proud to announce it will celebrate “Honor Our Heroes Month” during the month of May to serve as a reminder of Memorial Day and provides appreciation and recognition to members of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics who will receive 25% off their entire purchase (excluding lunch buffet, alcohol & delivery) everyday during the month long event beginning on Sunday, May 1st and continuing through Tuesday, May 31st.

According to LaurinburgExchange.com, “Combining pizza with raising money may not be a new concept, but it certainly is a tasty way to contribute to a worthy cause.”

According to WSBTV.com, “There’s a new eating challenge in Atlanta and one that Nelson’s News on wsbtv.com decided to investigate. Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria in the Luckie-Marietta district in downtown Atlanta now features the Maximus Pizza Challenge.”

According to ChicagoTribune.com, “Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is willing to wager Chicago’s famous pizza, hot dogs and ribs that the Chicago Bulls will beat the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinals.”

According to Entertainment.stv.tv, “The Royal Wedding banquet is set to be a spectacular feast of delicious naturally sourced produce from throughout the UK. Kate and William however, could choose to chomp on a pizza to celebrate their marriage… if they so desired.”

According to STLToday.com, “The FBI plans to honor a St. Louis Imo’s Pizza driver they credit for helping authorities capture the bank robbery suspect dubbed the ‘McBurglar.'”

Starting April 18th, Pizza Patrón, the nation’s number one Latin pizza brand, launched a media campaign that reflects recent shifts in its core customer base.

According to Reuters, “Yum Brands Inc., parent of the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut fast-food chains, said it made a preliminary offer to buy most of the shares of China’s Little Sheep restaurants that it does not already own.”

According to NashvilleScene.com, “Porta Via Italian Kitchen has racked up some great reviews since it opened on White Bridge Road in late 2009. One of the credentials it has touted is that it makes pizza to strict Neapolitan pizza standards. Now it’s official: Porta Via announced it has achieved Vera Pizza Napoletana (“True Neapolitan Pizza”) certification, and it will celebrate with a couple fun specials this week.”

California Pizza Kitchen, home of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, launched today their fourth annual Thank You Card Program as a way to say, ‘Thank You’ to loyal guests. Running through June 5, 2011, CPK will hand out 2.9 million Thank You Cards with prizes enclosed to customers dining at their full-service restaurants nationwide.

Today, Flippers Pizzeria announced that the company will be giving away over $175.00 in Flippers credit to fans who participate in their new fan photo contest.

According to the Punxsutawney Spirit, “The Punxsutawney Area Community Center and Fox’s Pizza teamed up to hold their second annual fund-raiser, “Eat a Pizza, Make a Difference,” during the week of April 10-16.”