Piada Italian Street Food, the fast casual Italian street food restaurant best known for its innovative menu of piadas, pastas and salads, is announcing its first-ever nationwide test of a new pasta on National Pasta Day. In partnership with Barilla, Piada will serve Barilla Spaghetti Rigati in all locations nationwide and at select breweries for a pasta eating contest on October 17.
For the first time since its inception in 2010, Piada will test a new pasta, which was first rolled for Guest feedback at Beavercreek, Ohio, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Memorial Location in Houston, Texas before deciding to test it nationwide on National Pasta Day. Piada’s culinary team continues to break new ground, redefining what it means to be fast casual Italian by elevating Piada’s menu with new ingredients and forward-thinking entrees. Director of Culinary and Head Chef Matt Harding spent six months sampling various kinds of pasta before deciding to test this new Barilla Spaghetti Rigati in restaurants.
“Above all, we’re committed to culinary-driven food and the Guest experience,” says Matt Harding. “We relentlessly tested pasta to perfectly complement our fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Kitchen testing showed this pasta paired better with our sauces and better holds temperature for optimal Guest experience.” This one-day nationwide test will help Piada determine if it will permanently replace its original angel hair with the new spaghetti rigati.
Piada will also partner with breweries in Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh on Oct. 17 to serve the new pasta in pasta eating competitions. These competitions will be held at the following breweries:
- Columbus, Ohio: Pretentious Barrel House
- Dallas (Lewisville): TKO Libations
- Minneapolis: HeadFlyer Brewing
- Pittsburgh: Wigle Whiskey
Five people will be selected to participate at each competition, and the first 75 people to arrive at each brewery will receive free pasta. The winner of each pasta eating contest with receive Piada for a year. Additional prizes for all contestants include gift cards and Piada swag.
