Category Archives: Pizza Tours

Chef Billy Manzo of Federal Hill Pizza

Posted on by
1

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In this video, Billy Manzo master Pizza maker explains how he lovingly transformed a former vaudeville theater and movie house into an incredible World Class Pizzeria. Interestingly enough, this was the same movie house, Billy watched movies as a kid. And my mom, who grew up in the Federal Hill Neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island, watched movies there as well!

The theater was built in 1925 as an original vaudeville movie theater owned by MGM-Mayer. The building went from a vaudeville theater into a movie theater. The building space is 11,000 square feet. A major company purchased the property, hoping to turn the space into a dinner theater. They spent countless money to refurbish the property. Their efforts failed and the building stood empty for 15 years.

Billy and his wife Christine purchased the property and transformed the space into Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza. The building itself has many memories for the residents of Providence. Billy feels he will never own the building, rather he is a custodian of the building. He tried very hard to keep the integrity of the building intact.

Billy exudes passion and commitment to his craft of making pizza. He is also committed to giving back to his community by sharing the joys of pizza. He is an extraordinary Chef with a lot of heart…

You can discover Federal Hill Pizza in Providence at 1039 Chalkstone Ave. and in Warren Rhode Island at 495 Main street. You can visit online at federal pizza online. Check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Billy is also the founder of Chef’s Feeding Kids The following video, tells his story:[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2829″ img_size=”medium” title=”Chefs Feeding Kids”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/16OybL27pw4″ title=”Billy Manzo on Federal Hill Pizza”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Federal Hill Pizza

Providence Restaurant

1039 Chalkstone Avenue
Providence, Rhode Island
401-331-3310

Warren Restaurant

495 Main Street
Warren, Rhode Island
401-245-0045[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_images_carousel images=”2827,2830,2829,2824,2831,2828,2192,2826,2825,2191,2190,2189,2188,2187″ img_size=”large” slides_per_view=”2″ autoplay=”yes” title=”Pictures of Federal Hill Pizza”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tony Gemignani Pizza Tour, Pizza Rock

Posted on by
Reply
Tony Gemignani and Albert Grande at Pizza Rock, Las Vegas

Tony Gemignani and Albert Grande at Pizza Rock, Las Vegas

Here is an exclusive video interview with Tony Gemignani, World Famous Pizza Chef as he takes us behind the scenes of his award winning pizzeria Pizza Rock. One of the most knowledgeable and colorful pizzaiolo in the Industry, he is friendly and forthcoming. Tony is the owner of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, one the best pizza places in that city.

I was very fortunate to be able to interview Tony as he explained every important feature of the restaurant. This was an exclusive “back of the house” pizza tour with one of the Legends of Pizza. He takes us to the prep stations where the pizzas are made and prepared. He shows the pasta station where fresh pasta is made daily. He shows the making of fresh sausage. He even introduces us to Chef Andrew, a mainstay at Pizza Rock in Green Valley.

Tony explains the importance of using the best and freshest ingredients when making his Italian recipes and especially pizza.

Tony Gemignani inspects a pizza

Tony Gemignani inspects a pizza

One of the more important aspects of any pizza according to Tony is the water used when making pizza. He discusses the use of a reverse osmosis machine in preparing the water used for pizza. The water is critical in making great pizza Tony explains. The reverse osmosis process pulls everything out of the water. Tony shows us the industrial dough mixer that is used to create the pizza dough.

Tony's Pizza Naoletana

Tony’s Pizza Naoletana

 

“Water is the second highest ingredient is pizza dough, states Tony. “Not so much the flavor of it, but how the yeast works, the softness of it, the conditioning of it, the manageability of it. There is a lot that goes into it. You do not want to use super hard water”.

 

Tony with The Pizza Bible

Tony with The Pizza Bible

Tony is the author of The Pizza Bible: The World’s Favorite Pizza Styles, from Neapolitan, Deep-Dish, Wood-Fired, Sicilian, Calzones and Focaccia to New York, New Haven, Detroit, and more. This pizza book is like taking a master class with Tony. He takes you every step of the way creating incredible pizzeria style pizza. I own a copy and give it my highest recommendation.

Tony Gemignani at Google on the Pizza Bible

Posted on by
2
Tony Gemignani at Google

Tony Gemignani at Google

This is an wonderful talk given by Tony Gemignani at Google on the The Pizza Bible: The World’s Favorite Pizza Styles, from Neapolitan, Deep-Dish, Wood-Fired, Sicilian, Calzones and Focaccia to New York, New Haven, Detroit, and more

According to Google:

A comprehensive guide to making pizza, covering nine different regional styles–including standards like Neapolitan, Roman, and Chicago, as well as renowned pizza sub-specialties like St. Louis and Californian–from chef, 11-time world Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani.

Everyone loves pizza! From fluffy Sicilian pan pizza to classic Neapolitan margherita with authentic charred edges, and from Chicago deep-dish to cracker-thin, the pizza spectrum is wide and wonderful, with something to suit every mood and occasion. And with so many fabulous types of pie, why commit to just one style? The Pizza Bible is a complete master class in making delicious, perfect, pizzeria-style pizza at home, with more than seventy-five recipes covering every style you know and love, as well as those you’ve yet to fall in love with. Pizzaiolo and eleven-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani shares all his insider secrets for making amazing pizza inhome kitchens. With The Pizza Bible, you’ll learn the ins and outs of starters, making dough, assembly, toppings, and baking, how to rig your home oven to make pizza like the pros, and all the tips and tricks that elevate home pizza-making into a craft.
Category
Science & Technology

“I got to travel around the world and make pizzas…: Tony G.

Here is a memorable account of Tony’s recent visit to Google. Simply outstanding!

 

Check out The Pizza bible, here.

The Art of the Pizza Box from Scott Wiener, Scott’s Pizza Tours

Posted on by
2

Scott Wiener of Scott’s Pizza Tours is not only all about showing pizza fans, the best New York Pizza (yes there are a lot of them!), but he also has a very unique hobby. He collects pizza boxes. Unusual pizza boxes. Pizza Boxes that are works of art. Scott was recently honored by The Guinness Book of World Records as having the largest Pizza box Collections in the world!

Mark Bello, Pizza A Casa and Scott Wiener, Scott's Pizza Tours

Mark Bello, Pizza A Casa and Scott Wiener, Scott’s Pizza Tours at Pizz Expo

I have personally taken his pizza tour and I was totally blown away by his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things pizza. He showed us the exact spot where Genaro Lombardi opned the first pizzeria in the United States. He had us sample some freshly made mozzarella at a hidden gem of a place in New York’s Little Italy. Then he took us to the current location of Lombardi’s to sample some amazing pizza cooked in a coal fired oven. The tour was informative, educational and tons of fun! The guy loves his job. He loves sharing his pizza knowledge.

You learn about pizza by just being on the street with him. He oozes pizza passion. He has traveled the world sampling the pizza and sharing his journey. He is a walking encyclopedia about pizza. And on top of everything else, Scott is a great person. He is a fun loving pizza advocate. He is someone I really enjoy hanging out with.

Scott talks about his latest book: The Art of the Pizza Box. Scott runs pizza tours in New York city and has an obsession with pizza. He loves all things pizza and is a true pizza activist!

You can see more of Scott at this You Tube Video.

Mark Bello, Scott Wiener and Albert Grande Pizza Expo

Mark Bello, Scott Wiener and Albert Grande at Pizza Expo

You can check out Scott’s book, here: Viva la Pizza!: The Art of the Pizza Box

 

Pizza Cuz Review, Food Channel Pizza Show Pizza Cuz

Posted on by
Reply

Here is an unbiased review the pizza show, Pizza Cuz.
Pizza Cuz is a show on the Cooking channel featuring Cousins Francis Garcia and Sal Basile.

Sal and Francis grew up on Staten Island during the time when this remote borough of New York was very much the outskirts of the city. And during the course of the show you are given flashback and insights into how things were for the Cousins as they grew up.
These two cousins come from a pizza family, they’ve been in the business for a while. They also opened Artichoke Basille’s in Manhattan in 2008.

The basic story focuses on the two cousins traveling around the country try out different kinds of pizza. In the course of the show, you get to meet some extremely extra ordinary pizzaiolo.

Because Sal and Francis are pizza masters themselves, you get a great insight into how the pizza is made, what kind of special ingredients are included as well as how the pizza is cooked. Of course Sal and Francis personally sample each and every pizza as it comes out of the oven.

Yeah, these boys like to eat.

And they showcase the unusual, the bizarre and the downright out of the ordinary.
For example, in one show they traveled to Portland Oregon and meet with Brian Spangler of Apiza Scholls. Brian created a masterpiece Manila Clam pizza for the boys. The most unusual thing was the fact that these clams were placed on the pizza unshucked. As the pizza cooked the clams opened up.

Pizza Cuz

Pizza Cuz!

Another time they ventured to Greenwich Village and made mozzarella with Roberto Carporusio of Keste’s Pizzeria. Now needless to say Roberto makes incredible pizza however before he became a pizza master, he was a master cheese maker.
Sal and Francis jumped right in and stood shoulder to shoulder with Roberto helping him with his creations.

The question is: is this good television? Is this a worthwhile show? Should you be wasting your time with Sal and Francis?

And the answer is absolutely YES. This is a wonderful show for anyone who loves pizza. The stories are there, the insights are shared. And the pizza secrets are reveled. Pizza Therapy supports the Pizza Cuz concept and we say: thanks Sal and Francis!

The Pizza Cuz at Artichokes

The Pizza Cuz at Artichokes

You guy rock the pizza world! If there is one shortcoming about Pizza Cuz, is that it is only a 30 minute show. To really get more in depth coverage of pizza requires at least 60 minutes. So let’s get with the program, Cooking Channel. Make pizza lovers happy:: increase Pizza Cuz to a full hour!

You can listen to and download an audio of this review below:

[display_podcast]

This video is brought to you by The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book. Learn to make own homemade pizza. Go to: The Pizza Therapy Pizza Book.

Discover: Food Network Store


Find your favorite Food Network Hosts

Do You Have What it Takes to be a World Pizza Champion?

Posted on by
Reply
World Pizza Games

World Pizza Games

 
The World Pizza ChampionsTMand World Pizza Games® will take the stage at the 2012 International Pizza Expo® and as always you’re invited to join in the fun.
 
World Pizza Games from Legends of Pizza

World Pizza Games

 
On Tuesday, March 13th we will open up the competition and invite you to
come compete in one or all of five events: Freestyle Acrobatics First
Division, Fastest Dough, Largest Stretch, Fastest Box Folding and
Longest Spin.
 

Fastest Dough: How fast can you toss out (5) 12″ doughs!

Largest Dough: How big can you make 18oz of dough in just 5 minutes!

Fastest Box Folding: How fast can you fold (5) 12″ pizza boxes?

Longest Spin: How long can you keep a dough spinning over your head?

Freestyle Acrobatics First Division& the Masters Division

*First Division – created for those up and coming acrobats who want to showcase their talent without having to go head to head against the masters of the sport. The finalists will face off at the World Pizza Games® Finals and Rockin’ Party Wednesday night.

*Masters Division – created for those dough throwing acrobats that are the best of the
best. These masters will face off against each other at the World Pizza Games® Finals and Rockin’ Party. Please contact the World Pizza Champions for more details for qualifying for this event.

Please Note: If you have won a world or international title in an acrobatic dough throwing competition in recent years you may automatically qualify for the Masters Division. Qualifying for the Master division may make you ineligible to compete in the First Division. If you feel that you may fit into this category, please consult with the World Pizza Champions before entering the competition.

Please see the rules for complete details.
 
The heart of a pizza champion.

The heart of a pizza champion.

 
 

Tuesday, March 13th – Preliminaries / Finals (Exhibit Hall)

  • 10:00 a.m.    Opening Ceremonies
  • 10:15 a.m.    Fastest Dough Trials
  • 11:15 a.m.    Fastest Dough Finals
  • 11:30 a.m.    Individual Freestyle Acrobatic Dough Tossing Trials
  • 1:30 p.m.    Top Two Winners Announced
  • 1:45 p.m.    Fastest Pizza Box Folding Trials
  • 2:15 p.m.    Fastest Pizza Box Folding Finals

Wednesday, March 14th – Freestyle Acrobatic Finals and Rockin’ Party (Room N 247)

  • 10:00 a.m.    Longest Dough Spin Trials
  • 10:45 a.m.    Longest Dough Spin Finals
  • 11:15 p.m.    Largest Dough Stretch Trials
  • 2:45 p.m.    Largest Dough Stretch Finals
  • 6:30 p.m.    Competition Warm Up
  • 7:00 p.m.    Freestyle Acrobatic Dough Tossing Finals – First Division
  • 8:00 p.m.    Freestyle Acrobatic Dough Tossing Finals – Masters Division
  • 8:45 p.m.    Team Acrobatics Exhibition
  • 9:15 p.m.    Awards Ceremony
 

a world pizza champion blasting

A world pizza champion blasting

 

*(ALL TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

 

Get your routine ready and come join the fun at the World Pizza Games®!
 

  Please visit www.worldpizzachampions.com/games.php or http://www.pizzaexpo.com/ for more details and to download rules and entry forms.

 

the Pizza Therapy Digital Store

 e-books, information, tutorials, videos more

 All Digital All the Time….

On the Road for Pizza in Italy

Posted on by
Reply

Here is a story of twp brothers who have decided to travel to Italy in search of pizza perfection.

Brothers Thom and James are embarking on an epic 2000 mile “Pizza Pilgrimage” from the southernmost tip of Italy back to their home in London.

They will be tackling this journey at a top speed of 40mph in their newly acquired Piaggio Ape van (the 3 wheeled one) and therefore, Very much sticking to the back roads, they will be hunting down the best produce and techniques that go into making the ‘perfect pizza’.

They will then bring all this knowledge back to England to serve traditional Italian pizzas to the people of London.

I support this journey, This is a scared journey for pizza! What could be more spiritual than that. This is a spiritual quest….

albert grande
Hawaii Businesss Videos and Hawaii Internet Service
Discover The Best Pizza in the World

Of course my old friend Peter Reinhart went on a similar journey…
American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza

How Scott’s Pizza Tours Started

Posted on by
Reply

When you are with Scott Weiner you are in the presence of a dynamo. A dynamo of pizza history, pizza knowledge, and pizza passion.

The following video gives you a taste of the tour. From the minute the Pizza Tour starts you are in a whirl wind of energy and pure pizza stories.

The beginnning of the video shows Scott’s style as he discusses various pizzas you will be sampling on the tour. The video was recorded  at Lombardi’s in New York. Opened in 1905, Lombardi’s is the true birthplace of pizza in the United States.

The second part of the video is a one  on one interview with Scott as he explains how he got into the pizza tour business.

It was actually quite by accident. He started by taking friends of his on tours of New York. Soon this started to be quite a habit.

Here’s the video:

 

 

 Visit Scott’s Pizza Tours, here.

 

Scott's Pizza Tours