What to Expect at the Beijinger's 2014 Pizza Cup Launch Party

It's lining up to be a stellar fall day today (Saturday) with a high of 24°C as we gather at Galaxy Soho for an unprecedented gathering of the cream of the crop of Beijing's pizza scene, the likes of which have not been seen since ... well, frankly, ever.

Eighteen vendors (at last count ... our sales and marketing team are hard at work at adding more as time and space deem fit) will be plying their wares, with plenty of hot slices on offer, as well as drinks both cold and hot and more surprises than you can shake a mozzarella stick at.

Entry is free and we've asked the vendors to price their wares to move ... so buy your pizza by the slice and your beer by the cup, and leave space to sample them all.

This all-day affair is a perfect opportunity for you to taste-test some of the best pizza our fair city has to offer, side by side, before voting begins in the 64-contestant Pizza Cup Monday. You'll not only pick up food and drink (and a few extra pounds of fat for your midsection to insulate yourself against Beijing's bitter winters) on Saturday, you'll also find lots of giveaways and coupons for you to extend your cheese-fest throughout the coming weeks.

There will be entertainment at hand as well: over very own Cousin Kippy, a music nerd since birth, will provide a unique selection of retro rock, new wave and fun old school punk that’s delightfully cheesy yet refined to put you in the pizza party spirit. You can expect a tasteful playlist, stretchier than mozzarella, with tracks that traverse genres and eras for surprisingly wild results.

Meanwhile Violette and the Hunters – a soulful new outfit of gospel, R&B, jazz and pop led by Jenea Scott and her North American compatriots – will be playing some live music to keep the party hopping.

Come for lunch, beat the crowds by coming mid-day or come at dinnertime ... or hell, you might as well come and hog out all day.

In the meantime, here's a rundown of what to expect from each of the vendors at the Pizza Cup Launch Party (by the way, even if you can't make it out on Saturday, go check these places out on your own):

Pizza+
Pizza+ is a strong contender for Beijing's most authentic Italian-style pizza. They will be on site with their award-winning chef, who won a world championship in pizza-making in Italy in 2011, and will be serving their signature Forest Pizza. Visitors will also get vouchers for free slices of pizza or discounts at their restaurants in Dongzhimen, Chaoyang Park and Shuangjing.

La Pizza
This Napoli-style pizza shop has two locations in Sanlitun as well as locations in Soho Shangdu and Solana Mall and will be presenting their brand onsite and showcasing their menu.

The Tree
With over 15 years of history, this long-running Sanlitun institution with roots in the now long-gone South Bar Street has a reputation for its classic pizzas paired with Belgian brews. The Tree will be serving their signature creations available only at their venue: Bitterballen Pizza and Deep Pen Pizza. They'll also be selling Chimay Red at a discounted RMB 35.

Gung Ho! Gourmet Pizza Factory
Beijing's purveyors of gourmet pizza will be on hand serving fresh pizza by the slice, fresh salad cups, french fries and sweet potato fries and soft drinks. Their Sanlitun neighbor Trouble Bar will also be providing a bar with draft beer and bottled craft beer. During the day, Gung Ho! will be conducting Kids Pizza Classes, while at night, Sugar Shack (Wudaokou) will hold a Beer Pong Tournament. Look for the Gung Ho! guys to be giving away vouchers and free stuff throughout the day.

Tube Station
This Beijing-based pizza joint with Wudaokou roots has since blossomed into a chain of ten restaurants across town, with their newest shop in the Lido area (which played host to our Burger Cup Launch Party this past summer). Tube Station will be offering slices of their Philly Special Pizza and Pepperoni Pizza, as well as giving out 50 percent discount vouchers for small pizzas at their restaurants.

Eatalia
This Italian eatery, also with roots in Wudaokou, has come on strong with locations in Di'anmen and 798. They will be serving pizza, desserts, aperitifs (Italian spritz), sodas and Italian beer. They will also be handing out discount cards and vouchers.

Pizza Express
The British import that recently landed in Sanlitun will be serving their starters, and you'll be able to try your own hand at dough flaring with instruction from their team of Pizzaiolos, who perform a 10-minute "Dance & Dough" flaring exhibition on stage. Pizza Express's Head of International Training Johney Rai will also be on hand to oversee all the dough-flaring festivities, and they will be handing out RMB 50 pizza vouchers.

Luga's Little Italy
Luga, whose empire has included everything from Mexican to Vietnamese to Italian, will be serving pizza from his Luga's Little Italy as well as glühwein to warm you up. They will also be offering vouchers for 50 percent off pizzas on Mondays.

1st Floor
This popular Sanlitun watering hole will be providing drinks and giving out 50 percent discount pizza vouchers for use at their newly expanded venue.

Passby Bar
One of the longest-running bars/cafes in Beijing (and perhaps the first to serve Lamb Kebab Pizza) will be serving thier pizzas and handing out pizza vouchers, as well as selling limited edition branded gifts and Passby Beer.

Nan Jie Bar
Nanjie, with it's "shut up, just drink" ethos, has been a Sanlitun institution since the beginning of bar street. Still going strong after over a decade in business, the bar will be on hand serving their pizza.

Flypizza
Sanlitun's newest pizza joint is as well known for its Korean-style fried chicken as for its pizza, and they wiill be offering their fresh-baked pizza, Korean-style fried chicken and beer. Read more about Flypizza on our recent blog post here.

The WhaleWell Pizzeria
This off-beat pizzeria hidden in Seasons Park will be on hand to show off some of their creative pizza combos, including Hot Pot Pizza and Pig Ear Pizza. Read more about WhaleWell from our recent visit here.

Duvel
The fine purveyor of imported Belgian brew will be offering Vedett White, Vedett IPA, Liefmans Fruitesse and Chouffe Soleil on draft throughout the day to accompany your pizza purchases. Each beer entitles you to a lucky draw for fun prizes and beer vouchers.

XL
This new bar and restaurant, located on Xindong Lu next to Heaven Supermarket, will be on hand presenting four enticing cocktails, including one beer cocktail.

Aurora Events
Aurora Events will introduce Good Fellas Drinks, consisting of three differently flavored 100 percent Italian cocktails mixed with Infina Vodka and Aurora Liquors. Brew lovers will want to check out their Italian Artisanal Beer and six other kinds of imported beers. They'll also be pulling espressos for weary festival-goers.

Great Leap Brewing
Great Leap, which concurrently is celebrating their 4th year anniversary Saturday, will be serving their authentically Beijing hand-crafted brews, including Honey Ma Gold and Chesty Puller.

Siemens
The German appliance brand will be on hand to offer on-site cooking classes – recipes include grilled beef tenderloin with sun-dried tomatoes, tomato and mozzarella with pesto, tuna fish wrap in roasted red pepper, salmon caviar canapes and banana pudding. Branded gifts will be given to guests who add their official WeChat account.

Photos: The Beijinger, Courtesy of the businesses