Organic pizza a hit
06/18/08
BY JOHNNIE BACHUSKY
Red Deer Express
Keith Carriere was once an oilfield worker. For many years, he was also a musician. And in between he was a “million things.”
Although he loved being both an oilman and a musician he is finding out now that nothing is better than serving up pizzas.
“It is another chapter. There is no better marriage,” said Carriere.
“It is still a people kind of job. I am a people kind of person. I am a pizza man of the people and for the people.”
Carriere, 40, is the owner of both Panago franchises in Red Deer, at East Hill and Village Mall.
He has been at it for the past nine months.
For more than 20 years the company has been growing rapidly in western Canada, and into Manitoba and Ontario.
The company’s rising star status in the pizza industry was one huge reason why the former oilfield worker and musician made the leap.
And this year, along with 2007, Panago has won over the citizens of Red Deer by being chosen as the Best Pizza establishment in the Express’ Best of Red Deer awards.
“Panago is a strong name. It is constantly evolving, and that is what makes the brand so exciting. It is not a static product,” said Carriere. “We do not have two or three pieces that we rely on. Every 13 weeks we have two new pieces that are on our menu.”
In June customers are seeing two new items to the Panago menu – the tomato and bocconcini salad and the Margherita pizza, named after the the Queen consort of the Kingdom of Italy from 1878 to 1900.
“It is a very simple, simple, simple pizza. It is not very heavy. It is quite light, which is great for summertime,” said Carriere.
Being on the cutting edge of the finest and most healthy food choices for pizza lovers is a critically important ingredient for Panago’s success, said Carriere.
The new thin crusts are part of the company’s commitment to its growing legion of loyal customers that all of its products will soon be 100% organic.
“In two months, we will be 100 per cent organic. We are going to be the first organic pizza chain. No trans fats, no MSG, no artificial preservatives or flavors,” said Carriere. “We are 95 per cent there already. We will be the healthy food choice.”
jbachusky@reddeer.greatwest.ca 309-5456
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