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California Pizza Kitchen–Behind the Scenes

April 29, 2025 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Greenlee Bartley

A lot of people have favorite restaurants, and I’m one of those people. My favorite restaurant is California Pizza Kitchen (also known as CPK). I got introduced to it when I was very little because my mom and aunt used to work there. I asked them for info about what life was like working for CPK.

First, I interviewed my Mom, Trisha:

I asked her, “What was your favorite part about working at California Pizza Kitchen?”

And, she said, “All of the friendships I made while working there, and a lot of [those friends] I am still friends with today.” 

Next I asked her, “Why did you choose to work there?”

She responded, “I didn’t choose; my mother brought home an application and told me to apply.”

Then I asked her, “What were your favorite and biggest accomplishments working at California Pizza Kitchen?” 

She said, “Becoming a counter bar trainer [which is someone who trains people on how to serve customers at the counter bar], and opening new locations.”

Here you see my mom working at CPK in the 1990s.

Next, I interviewed my Aunt Summer about her experience behind the CPK scenes:

I asked her, “What was your favorite part about working at California Pizza Kitchen?”

She said, “Getting a discount on the food when I ate there.”

Next I asked her, “Why did you choose to work there?”

She said, “Because my sister worked there, and she got me the job.”

Lastly I asked her, “What were your favorite and biggest accomplishments working at California Pizza Kitchen?” 

She said, “My biggest accomplishment was becoming the best server they had and eventually a server trainer.” 

Why I like CPK:

California Pizza Kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the vibe there because it has lots of windows, and I like that because I love natural lighting. Also, I love the food. It is mainly an Italian restaurant with pasta, pizza, salads, drinks, desserts, and more! I love them for their pasta. I get buttered fusilli. My favorite and only California Pizza Kitchen location I’ve been to is the one on El Paseo, and I really recommend it! 

Filed Under: Business, Food, Interview Tagged With: California Pizza Kitchen–Behind The Scenes, Greenlee Bartley

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