Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars has launched a range of two Chicago Deep Dish pizzas, becoming the first Australian pizza takeaway chain to give customers a true deep dish pizza experience.

The Chicago Deep Dish pizza, which will be available in Italian Sausage and Vegetarian Antipasto varieties, differs from Crust’s standard ‘Italian’ style pizza and is smaller in diameter containing thicker layers of ingredients.

International award winning Creative Chef for Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar, Peter Augoustis, said he is excited about launching another unique product and believes it will be the perfect addition to the party season. “We’ve been researching and testing the Deep Dish pizza for months and are excited to bring Australians a style of pizza they’re unlikely to have ever tried before.”

“Many people get confused between a Deep Pan and the Chicago Deep Dish pizza.  Other Australian pizza chains sell Deep Pan pizzas that have a thick, bready crust and are generally the same size as a regular pizza. Crust’s Chicago Deep Dish pizzas follow the authentic Chicago-style recipe, based on a thinner crust but has more height as the crust makes a bowl with the ingredients inside.

“There is also a misconception that Deep Dish pizzas are heavy and high in kilojoules, but the new varieties compare favourably to our regular pizzas on the menu.”

Italian Sausage is the authentic staple of Chicago pizzas and Crust is renowned for providing customers with real, fresh and high quality ingredients on its products. “I’ve been to Chicago a number of times and really wanted to capture the essence of the Deep Dish pizza for Australians. Everything about our new Deep Dish pizza is authentic from the way it has been developed to the ingredients we use,” added Augoustis. “We also deliver the pizza in its genuine un-cut style to keep all the chunky ingredients and flavour contained.”

In conjunction with the launch, Crust has entered into an ongoing partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), making Crust the only food retailer to support the cause to find a cure for a disease that affects over 20,000 Australian men every year. Crust will be donating $1 from every Deep Dish pizza sold to the charity.

Michael Logos, CEO of Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars, added: “We felt that PCFA was a strong fit for our business. Launching our new Chicago Deep Dish was the perfect timing and product to raise as much money as we can for the great work the organisation does on a national and local scale.”

Mr Andrew Giles, Chief Executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia says PCFA receives very limited Government funding. “Instead, we rely on the generosity of individuals, the community and important partnerships, like this one with Crust, to continue our vital work providing support, raising awareness, and funding world class Australian prostate cancer research.

“We also hope that this partnership will encourage more people to openly discuss the issue of prostate cancer, and encourage men aged 50 years and over (or 40 years and over if there is a family history) to talk with their doctor every year about prostate cancer and, if necessary, be tested.  It’s a simple step that could save lives.”

The Chicago Deep Dish pizzas will be available in all Crust’s stores across Australia from 1 October this year and will be an ongoing addition to the Crust menu. In Italian Sausage and Vegetarian Antipasto varieties, each pizza will be 9” in diameter and priced at $16.00 per pizza.

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