Every couple of months we team up with a local Denver guest chef to create a special, unique pizza to benefit a local Denver nonprofit organization. This time our culinary director, Jordan Wallace, and our brand manager, Chris Donato, have teamed up with award-winning chef Tommy Lee—who owns both Uncle and Hop Alley—to create something new and exciting. And, best of all, when you try one of these amazing creations, you’ll be supporting the work of the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association!
Chef Tommy Lee is Chinese-American and a Denver native. He earned a degree in consulting and management from Emory’s Goizueta Business School before deciding to pursue his passion for cooking and restaurants—which led to owning two award-winning restaurants in Denver. Uncle has been recognized nationally as one of the best ramen shops in the country, while Hop Alley (an homage to Denver’s long-lost Chinatown) was ranked 5280 Magazine’s #1 Restaurant in 2016 and nominated as a James Beard semi-finalist in 2020. In 2019, a larger, second location of Uncle opened in the West Wash Park neighborhood with an expanded menu to compliment the original location. And in 2023, Uncle will open a location at Denver International Airport.
“Having been a big fan of Pizzeria Locale from the beginning, it was an honor to work with Jordan and Chris on a collaborative pie,” says Lee. “It was even more fun trying to meld our flavors to their model, but I think we came up with something unique and delicious!”
Unique and delicious are exactly the result: Lee’s special Pizzeria Locale creation in collaboration with Wallace is an amazing Crab Rangoon pizza, a spin on the takeout favorite made with mozzarella, cream cheese, crab, scallion, garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and Mike’s Hot Honey. Doesn’t that sound good?
And—better still—one dollar from each thirteen-dollar Crab Rangoon pizza you order in April will help support the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, an organization whose mission is to ensure inclusion and enhance the independence of people with Down syndrome by providing education, resources and support in partnership with individuals, families, professionals, and the community. The organization recognizes that being a parent is one of the most joyous and challenging jobs—enriching and demanding, confounding and blissful. While it’s true everyone experiences parenting differently, it is also true every parent needs support, inspiration, and a helping hand every now and again. The staff and network of parents are there to help people understand the realities of parenting a child with Down syndrome, to lend an ear and a caring shoulder, and to help guide parents on their journey.We’re very proud of the fact that Pizzeria Locale’s guest chef series has to date raised over $21,000 for various local Colorado nonprofit organizations.
Past guest chefs in the popular series include Caroline Glover (Annette); Jen Jasinski (Rioja, Ultreia); Josh Pollack of Bridge & Tunnel Restaurant Group (Rosenberg’s, Lou’s Italian Specialties); Dave Query of Big Red F Restaurant Group (Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Lola Coastal Mexican and others); Alex Seidel (Fruition, Chook), Kelly Whitaker (IE Hospitality; Basta, Bruto, Wolfs Tailor and Dry Storage), and more.
This month’s Crab Rangoon pizza proudly takes its place among the stellar offerings of our past chefs. “It’s been exciting to work with Tommy,” says Chris Donato. “He’s bringing the flavors of his restaurants to Pizzeria Locale and has created a pizza that’s unique and delicious. Jordan and I have been longtime fans of Tommy’s restaurants, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with him to benefit the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association. Get it while you can!”
At Pizzeria Locale, we like to think that we’re changing the world, one pizza at a time. This month’s world-changing pizza is available April 1-30, and can be ordered through the Pizzeria Locale App, at www.pizzerialocale.com, and at any of our four Denver locations.