| It's a question I've been turning over in my mind | | | | pizza is such an adaptable cuisine that the Asian |
| for a while now but seeing my local Clapham pizza | | | | market has customised the dish to suit local |
| restaurant packed with satisfied customers night | | | | tastes. With homegrown brands leading the way |
| after night I started to wonder if Clapham | | | | against the recognised Western brand names, |
| Common is the most popular place to get pizza in | | | | revenue from sales in Asia is closing in on the US. |
| the UK. I think the answer lies in analysing a few | | | | So how come the dish seamlessly integrates into |
| facts and statistics about the great Italian dish | | | | the eating habits of such diverse cultures and |
| while sitting down to my favourite slice of double | | | | economies? One reason is the way it can easily |
| pepperoni. | | | | change to suit customer trends. As consumers, |
| Pizza is thriving in these tough economic times | | | | we are becoming savvy to the ingredients used in |
| with the whole industry seeing an upturn in sales. | | | | our food so many restaurants have switched to |
| The big numbers are to be found in take-out | | | | healthier options. My own pizza restaurant in |
| rather than eating-in but there are a few eateries | | | | Clapham is famed for the healthiest and lightest |
| bucking the trend because of a strong reputation | | | | dough base in the country. Research suggests |
| of providing quality food in a customer focused | | | | that people seek out quality eating at affordable |
| environment. This is certainly evident when you | | | | prices and pizza ticks both those boxes. So, |
| see all the happy clientèle in the Clapham | | | | restaurants serving the dish continue to succeed |
| restaurant I frequent. | | | | while other eateries offering more expensive |
| But is the UK market the strongest? It's certainly | | | | dining options struggle. |
| displaying some positive numbers but the | | | | And then we come to take-out. As we all look to |
| Americans continue to enjoy top status which is | | | | tighten our belts in hard times takeaway prospers. |
| no surprise given their rich history of eating the | | | | A slice and a movie at home is a cheaper |
| dish. The US has been hit hard by the economic | | | | alternative to dining out and I know my local |
| downturn but restaurants in the States tend to | | | | Clapham takeaway is always doing great business |
| be resilient in tough times due to a society that | | | | throughout the week and at weekends which |
| relies on grabbing take-out for daily eating. | | | | proves the point somewhat. |
| The surprising success stories are coming from | | | | So, while Clapham Common, or the UK for that |
| the Asian market. Go back ten years and you'd | | | | matter, can't boast to be generating the most |
| be hard-pressed to find Indians choosing | | | | money from pizza sales, it is certainly a popular |
| takeaway dishes that originate from Italy. | | | | dish whether eating in at a restaurant or ordering |
| However, a regular slice of pie has become a | | | | out for a night in front of the telly. |
| ritual for millions of Indian families. And of course, | | | | |