The Irish Volunteer Keeps the Hockey Masses Scoring Goals with their Special Canadian Pie

With the Second Round of voting now underway in our 2015 Pizza Cup (click here to cast your opinion), we continue our Pizza Profile series introducing some of Beijing's best pies.

Today we talk to Xiao Long, chief pizza officer at Lido's The Irish Volunteer. Although knocked out in the first round of this year's competition, their pies are still worth a taste – especially for their one-of-a-kind Canadian special (read more about it below)!

How long have you plied the trade?
Eight lucky years!

What's your style/pizza philosophy?
Hand tossed, NY style (with an expat-Chinese twist).

In a market crowded with over 100 different pizza shops, what do you do to stand out?  
Price, and the fact that we listen to what our customers want. We have added several pizzas based upon recommendations from people. Our best seller, The Canadian, is a great example, and so is the “Favilli” Napoli (anchovies and capers, named after former WAB teacher), as well as adding chicken to our bruschetta flatbread pizza.

Thick vs Thin: What's your take?
Thin and thinner ... Our main crusts are thin, but we also have a bruschetta, which is even thinner and crispier. This one is a big hit and great to share as an appetizer.

What's the secret to your sauce?
I use left over ingredients from the food carts and blend them ... Just kidding, it is a secret for God's sake!

What kind(s) of cheese do you use and why?  
All mozzarella ... except feta on our insanely good bruschetta flatbread pizza!

Will you be offering any specials or deals for your pizzas over the next month?
Fifteen percent discount on our Canadian pizzas and 5 percent goes to the Maovember charity Orbis International, a blindness prevention NGO!
 

Tell us about your standard pizza.
Name: Margarita.
Thick or thin crust? Thin.
Type of sauce? Our secret tomato sauce.
Type of cheese? Mozzarella.
What other things make it special? You can enjoy it as a 9-inch calzone.
How many sizes does it come in? Nine-inch for RMB 45, 12-inch for RMB 55, 15-inch for RMB 65 and 19-inch RMB 95.
 

Tells us about your most unique pizza
Name: Our famous Canadian, which ties in with The Hockey Bar at the Irish Volunteer.                       
Thick or thin crust? Thin.
Type of sauce: Our secret tomato sauce.
Type of cheese: Mozzarella.
Additional toppings: Bacon, pepperoni and mushrooms. No one else has it, and this pizza is what fuels our hockey boys to score goals.
How many sizes does it come in? Nine-inch for RMB 60, 12-inch for RMB 80, 15-inch RMB 105, 19-inch for RMB 140.

Hungry for more? Check out pizza specials around town and compare and contrast some of Beijing's best pizzas in our ongoing Pizza Profiles series.

Photos courtesy of The Irish Volunteer