Bitesize 32 - Make My Pizza, Punk

Amongst the “news alerts” that I have delivered to my email box are ones for “pizza”. In the past week, I’ve noticed an incredible number of them (all in the US) mention holdups of pizzerias, robberies of delivery boys, stolen pizza delivery cars, and one fatal stabbing of one pizza store owner. Where are Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood when you need’em?

Believe it or not, there’s actually a Pizza Marketing Quarterly magazine. On this page, they have a link to an article that suggests pizza might fend off cancer, due to active ingredients in tomatoes and olive oil. Tomatoes have the anti-oxidant red carotenoid Lycopene, which appears to have anti-prostate cancer properties, amongst other cancers. Studies have shown that Lycopene may also help prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

What must be kept in mind is that some diets work because of a combination of ingredients. For example, French cuisine is sometimes very rich in sauces, but is paired with wine. Grapes have their own anti-oxidant properties. Similarly, pizza eaten without olive oil may not have as much of a positive anti-cancer result.

Hell’s Pizza Kitchen? In the second season of the popular Hell’s Kitchen reality TV show, a number of the contestants are arguably more qualified than in the previous season. This includes a caterer, deli manager, sous chef, and even a pizza maker. Unfortunately, the season opener (2 episodes) suggest none of them - with the exception of the New York sous chef - are particularly qualified to run chef Gordon Ramsay’s million-dollar Las Vegas restaurant - which is the the grand prize.

By the way, word is that despite the popularity of the series, a third season will not be taped, partially due to master chef Gordon Ramsay changing channel allegiance in England. It was initially passed on for management to Gary Rhodes and chef Jean-Christophe Novelli - who recently almost burned down his own kitchen when he fell asleep while making a meal. (After getting only 3 hrs sleep while filming a new show.) Oh, if you’re wondering where the idiot customers on the show come from, read this. [found via TV Squad]