From May 1-May 15, customers at Wise Guys Pizzeria will have the chance to grab a slice of creativity and taste pizzas dreamed up by students in GCISD’s Career and Technical Education Advanced Culinary class.
For the second straight year, Wise Guys has partnered with GCISD CTE to turn classroom concepts into menu-ready pies. The pizza that earns the best customer feedback and strongest sales will earn a limited-time spot on the restaurant’s menu.
“It’s an opportunity to inspire them and for them to gain real-world experience,” pizzeria owner Kevin McNamara said. “They are learning the business side through marketing and food costs, but also understanding that a good idea doesn’t always translate to sales. When you own a business, sales matter.”
This year’s competition features three fresh creations.
Concrete Jungle, created by sophomore Colt McMaster and senior Emma Balding, both students at Grapevine High School, was inspired by pizza classics. McMaster said they wanted every bite to pack “big flavor from recognizable pizzas.” Their pizza features a pepperoni and cheese stuffed crust topped with Alfredo and marinara sauces, mozzarella cheese, garlic chicken, red bell peppers, sausage, capicola, hot honey, and red pepper flakes.
Gym Rat, developed by GHS sophomores Jose Uscanga and Melina Olvera, was built for protein lovers. This pizza is topped with marinara sauce, pepper jack cheese, sweet and spicy sausage, cooked bacon, capicola, and red and green bell peppers finished with a stuffed crust.
Capone Veggie, designed by GHS seniors Trenton Venable and Eden Matongo, offers a thin-crust option topped with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, red bell peppers, red onion, fresh arugula, and Italian seasoning.
During McNamara’s April 28 visit to the class, students presented their pizzas, explained the inspiration behind each recipe, and shared the research that shaped their creations.
Olvera shared that their team researched the area demographics with many people willing to pay for gym memberships who might also enjoy their protein powerhouse pizza.
Meanwhile, McMaster was quick to recognize one challenge with his own pie in that, “not everybody might like spice.”
McNamara praised McMaster for recognizing the need to know his customer base and that menu items must appeal to them.
McMaster said seeing the finished product was rewarding.
“It was really cool how it all came together and how Wise Guys was able to assemble the ingredients to make the pizzas look very good and appetizing,” he said. “I think our pizza has a good chance of winning.”
Which pizza will be the fan favorite? Stay tuned…