Eagle River Pizza to Pacific Pizza

Pizza Beginnings

It’s been almost two years since we officially started Eagle River Pizza in Avon, Colorado which later became Pacific Pizza in San Diego.  I wanted to reflect on some of the parties we’ve enjoyed and things we’ve learned since starting the business.

The Start of Great Pizza in Avon

We started building the pizza trailer in April of 2013 just after the close of the season at Beaver Creek Ski Resort.  Here is the quick vision that I had for the trailer:

Trailer Idea

Here is the trailer that I actually started building:

Pizza Trailer Beginnings

And the project a few more steps down the road (notice the Bike to the Beach Jacket)

Pizza Oven Started

Pizza Trailer Done, first beer

First Event

With two days to go until our first event, we eagerly fired up the oven for the first time and prepared all the items needed for feeding hundreds of hungry cyclists from Ride the Rockies.

First Pizza Event

We were overwhelmed by the popularity of our pizza at the first event but, with some friends, a little ingenuity and smiles, we hustled our way to feeding hundreds of cyclists along with their friends and families.  Now that we knew the oven worked and people liked our pizza, it was time to start a fun summer in Colorado with many large events.

Thanks to my friends from Turtle Bus for stepping in to help out on that first day!

Check out our next post for more on the summer of rodeos, airshows, town festivals and sporting events……

Your Party

Summer is coming and the weather is already beautiful.  If you are planning a summer party for your work, family reunion, birthday, wedding or any special event, consider having fresh wood fired pizza at your event.  I have heard time and again that people are tired of having tacos at their events and are looking for something new and different.

You can be sure that your guests will not forget your party when you have wood-fired pizza cooked fresh on site!

 

 

Pizza Making Party Tips

Recently we catered a fun baby shower  pizza party  in La Mesa.  Chris and I were making pizza for a group of 50 people and they were really enjoying the pizza.  The owners of the house were interested in putting in a wood fired pizza oven in their backyard so, we taught them some tips on how to make great pizzas.

Pizza Making Party

It was really fun to help the family make their own pizzas and show them how to cook the pizzas just right.

Pizza Oven

There are some tricks to spinning out the pizza dough balls like a pro but anyone can learn quickly.  We always bring extra dough so our guests can try a few times and get the toss just right.

Pizza Toss

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make pizzas at home but, with a little flair, just let us know.  It can be frustrating to get the dough just right on your own but, with some tricks, you can be on your way to a great pizza.

Here are our tips to getting the crust just right.

  1. Flour is your friend; keep adding a bit of flour to your dough as you stretch it out.
  2. Begin by loosening up the edges and working them first and then stretching the middle.
  3. Use gravity as your ally, when the dough is just right, gravity will pull your dough and help you.  If your dough is just a little too soft, support the dough and don’t let gravity over stretch the dough.
  4. Make sure your surfaces are free from moisture and clean.
  5. Enjoy yourself and always have extra dough, if you make a hole, it’s not the end of the world.

For the best transfer and cooking, keep it light.  I usually limit pizzas to three toppings and use light sauce and cheese.  Stay away from the “Spruce Goose”

Don't overload your pizza or your plane!

Don’t overload your pizza or your plane!

 

Have fun with your pizzas and share them with your friends!

Sharon and pizza

Pizza Friends

Ted Pizza