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August 24, 2001/Elul 5, 5761, Vol. 53, No.46
King Solomon brings kosher pizza to Valley
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
With a pizza joint in every strip mall, one may wonder if there's a need for one more. Well, how's this for a shtick - kosher pizza, right here in Phoenix.
King Solomon Pizza opened on July 15 in the kitchen of Beth El Congregation in Phoenix. Under the supervision of Rabbi David Rebibo and the Greater Phoenix Vaad Hakashruth, and with the assistance of Rabbi Michael Wasserman and Beth El, Allen Fink was able to begin his kosher pizza business.
"We realized there was a need in the Jewish community," explains Fink. "This is collaboration of the Orthodox and Conservative communities working together, all for the benefit of having kosher pizza."
Fink, a member of Beth El and Young Israel of Phoenix, says he began keeping kosher about two years ago. His background is in marketing and advertising, and he has a bachelor's degree in marketing communications from DePaul University in Chicago.
Fink hopes that this is a start to a much larger venture. "Our goal is to build a market and hopefully take it out of Beth El and put it into a store ... and to have an entire sit-down, full kosher pizza Italian restaurant," Fink says.
Wasserman believes Fink's business endeavor will be successful.
"I believe there's going to be a tremendous response to this," he says. "(Beth El) is delighted to be a part of it and excited to be helping to bring this to Phoenix."
Wasserman points out that the Beth El kitchen is kept strictly kosher and remains under the supervision of the congregation. The Vaad is supervising King Solomon's equipment and operation.
"The kosher pizza is acceptable by all rabbis in Phoenix," says Fink.
In addition to pizza with five available toppings - mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives and pineapple - King Solomon sells cheesecake and soft drinks. Calzones and other products will soon be added to the menu.
Currently, King Solomon is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays. Additional days and hours will be added. Also, King Solomon will be supplying pizza to the local day schools on Wednesdays and will provide pizza for special events.
Call 602-870-8655.
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