Most of us have long known something that big restaurant chains seem to have just discovered: A shared love of pizza is one of the cornerstones of a successful relationship. That could be one of the reasons why Domino’s has just launched its own pizza wedding registry (that, and because, unless you’re a Victorian time traveler, no one really needs a set of hand-carved candlesticks).
Now, London-based pie chain Pizza Express is trying to use the power of pizza to bring potential customers together, hosting a series of mozzarella-topped matchmaking events in one of its restaurants.
Videos by VICE
A few weeks ago, Pizza Express put out a call for volunteer participants on its Facebook page, and then attempted to set those people up with pizza-compatible blind dates. The willing singles were paired based on their preferred toppings and favorite orders and met each other for the first time when they shared a meal in a central London Pizza Express’ “Love Booth” One potential couple was a Welsh cosplayer and a woman named Sophie, who seemed genuinely interested in his Draco Malfoy costume. (They planned to see each other again, according to Pizza Express). Another was a Dutch dancer named Tonto who was matched with Sam, an agency wonk, because they both loved the chain’s vegetarian Veneziana pizza. They also got together again, so there may be something to this pizza matching thing.
But because true love doesn’t exactly pay the bills, the whole cheesy Cupid routine seems to just be a long, drawn-out promotion for—you guessed it—Pizza Express’ Valentine’s meal. During this promo, which started on Saturday and runs through tonight, couples who are willing to drop $20 on each other can each have a glass of Prosecco and share an appetizer and the pizza of their choice.
If, like me, you don’t live within 3,500 miles of a Pizza Express, you could probably do worse than loitering outside your neighborhood pizza shop, holding the door for strangers and seductively whispering “So, what do you like on your slice?”
Worst case scenario, they take a Snapchat and caption it “Sad weirdo.” Best case, you know exactly where to book the gift registry your wedding.
