Marketing

Peter Piper Pizza teams up with Arizona Culinary Institute for student chef contest

Photo: Peter Piper Pizza

September 16, 2025

Peter Piper Pizza has partnered with Arizona Culinary Institute to launch a student culinary competition. Local culinary students are invited to create the pizza brand's next LTO menu item, according to a press release.

Contest registration is now open for ACI students. The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and their culinary creation will be served at Peter Piper Pizza locations throughout Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque from Nov. 4, 2025, through Jan. 26, 2026. Additionally, the winner will receive a portion of sales generated from their menu item.

"This partnership with Arizona Culinary Institute represents our commitment to fresh, innovative menu offerings while investing in the next generation of culinary professionals," Genaro Perez, CMO at Peter Piper Pizza, said in the press release. "The Innovation Oven Contest reinforces our deep Arizona roots by supporting local culinary education through hands-on opportunities."

This partnership aligns with Peter Piper Pizza's ongoing educational initiatives through its Slice of Knowledge Foundation, which supports children's education across Arizona and Albuquerque.

"Partnering with Peter Piper Pizza offers our students invaluable industry experience and the unique opportunity to see their culinary creations come to life at a beloved local restaurant," Robert Wilson, Arizona Culinary Institute president, said in the press release. "Through this competition, our students get to learn the entire process from concept to implementation, gaining insight into how established restaurants evaluate and develop new menu offerings."

The company recently gave away 99 birthday parties in three cities.

Peter Piper Pizza, a wholly owned subsidiary of CEC Entertainment LLC, has more than 120 locations in the U.S. and Mexico.