Going out to a romantic dinner with your plus one is a pretty standard way to celebrate Valentine's. Yet how many of us go out and get the chance to eat what we make, maybe even learn a few things along the way? Pizza Date Night at the Queen Creek Olive Mill is a fun and unique event that blends a cooking class with a fine dining experience. Our publisher, Jackson York and his wife Jayleen, decided to test it out and report back their delicious findings.
To begin with, they were greeted with a glass of prosecco as they were checked in. A fun polaroid was taken of the couple to clip to their menu at their table, a little momento of the night. As they settled in they exchanged chit chat with fellow diners before owner of the Mill, Perry Rea, began an introduction to their night of pizza. Along with the Mill's very own pizzaiolo, Augusto, they explained their dough process and how they make the pizza dough in their 'dough room', the only one of its kind in Arizona.
Before even touching a piece of dough, diners were given a quick example of the kneading technique and advice to keep the pizza simple so that the flavors truly stand out. In addition, a wine expert from Tucson also gave a brief tutorial on the wines to be served that night including some Italian and Arizona based wines. Soon, diners got to be hands on at the pizza making station and create their very own personal pizza. Once their pizza was ready, they left staff to deliver the pizzas to the oven as they headed back to their tables for their dinner to begin.
Jackson and Jayleen said they enjoyed a starter of cranberry feta salad, which they said was delicious. Each plate was accompanied by a different glass of wine. Once their freshly baked pizzas arrived, Jackson said the dough itself was flavorful, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Jayleen said the added drizzle of the Mill's own 'Pizza Oil' added another level of freshness and flavor. Finally, the dessert was a vanilla olive oil cake with cranberry compote and cranberry gelato. Everything was made in house and beautifully presented.
Jackson and Jayleen said that the entire evening was a fun bonding experience and the cooking class was easy and informative. Jayleen said the setting was romantic as they transformed the whole space with string lights, nice music, and lamps at each table. The final verdict was they would happily come back.
To book your tickets, grab them early at: www.queencreekolivemill.com