CHANGE MY LOCATION
Local
California News
Multimedia News
3-Minute Interview: Tony Gemignani
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: SAN FRANCISCO
)
Tony Gemignani is a Fremont native and co-owner of Pyzano’s Pizzeria in Castro Valley, Gemignani is bringing his world-famous pizza tossing to the Exploratorium on Friday for Pi Day, a celebration of one of the most important mathematical constants.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - A Fremont native and co-owner of Pyzano’s Pizzeria in Castro Valley, Gemignani is bringing his world-famous pizza tossing to the Exploratorium on Friday for Pi Day, a celebration of one the most important mathematical constants. Gemignani was inducted into the Legends of Pizza in 2006 after breaking two milestones in the “Guinness Book of World Records”: biggest pizza in two minutes continuously spinning and most consecutive rolls across the shoulders in 30 seconds. Gemignani also won the prestigious international pizza trophy last year in Naples, Italy.
What inspired you to go from making pizza to turning it into a performance art? Throwing for kids, primarily. Kids really respond to it. They’re like, ‘wow, Dad,’ and I started to get people coming into the pizzeria to check it out. Being an independent business is tough with all the giant pizza chains out there and I was just trying to get people into the restaurant by doing a little marketing. It’s a competitive market, like other things.
What’s the secret to a good toss? It’s all in the dough. High gluten and high protein makes it more durable. What I do is with fresh dough as well. It’s never frozen. When it comes to technique, it’s important to toss with your palm and bottom of the hand, not the top, that’s the key.
In Naples they take their pizza pretty seriously. How did they feel as an outsider winning their coveted prize? It was a pretty big deal, especially not coming from Naples. Even if somebody from Milan or Rome were to win that award, it would be out of the ordinary. The Neapolitan idea of making a pizza is considered a local treasure, and for an American to win was a huge deal.
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:41 PM MST on Sat., Sep. 20, 2008 re: "3-Minute Interview: Jim Fitzpatrick"
Report as inappropriate
10:16 PM MST on Tue., Sep. 16, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Leon Leyson"
Report as inappropriate
10:45 AM MST on Tue., Aug. 19, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Edward Reiskin"
Report as inappropriate
8:52 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 11, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Gretchen LeBuhn"
Report as inappropriate
8:51 AM MST on Sat., Aug. 2, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Glenda Hamilton"
Report as inappropriate
1:29 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 1, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Glenda Hamilton"
Report as inappropriate
10:29 AM MST on Fri., Aug. 1, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Glenda Hamilton"
Report as inappropriate
2:40 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 24, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Lisa Lambert"
Report as inappropriate
12:21 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 11, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jack LaLanne"
Report as inappropriate
9:50 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 11, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jack LaLanne"
Report as inappropriate
1:34 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 8, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Stacy London"
Report as inappropriate
10:44 AM MST on Sun., Jul. 6, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jon Peter Lewis"
Report as inappropriate
4:34 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 4, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: David Bowers"
Report as inappropriate
6:32 PM MST on Sat., May. 31, 2008
re: "3-minute interview: Barbara Rodgers"
Report as inappropriate
12:38 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Eric Bakhtiari"
Report as inappropriate
11:55 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Eric Bakhtiari"
Report as inappropriate
9:45 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Eric Bakhtiari"
Report as inappropriate
3:29 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 21, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jim Fitzpatrick"
Report as inappropriate
3:37 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 20, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jim Fitzpatrick"
Report as inappropriate
2:39 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 18, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Thomas Blake"
Report as inappropriate
8:28 PM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008
re: "3-minute interview: Ben Moskowitz"
Report as inappropriate
6:48 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 16, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Gretchen LeBuhn"
Report as inappropriate
10:23 AM MST on Thu., Feb. 28, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Jimmy Wales"
Report as inappropriate
1:19 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 13, 2008
re: "3-Minute Interview: Leon Leyson"
Report as inappropriate
11:22 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008
re: "3-minute interview: Sammy Hagar"
Report as inappropriate
8:48 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008
re: "3-minute interview: Ted Egan"
Report as inappropriate
1:44 PM MST on Sun., Nov. 25, 2007
re: "Rosenstein: ‘Plenty’ of corruption here"
Report as inappropriate
6:21 AM MST on Mon., Aug. 13, 2007
re: "3-minute interview"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
Bringing the SF Bay Bombers back to San Francisco and especially home to Kezar was great news! Fitzpatrick skated for them years ago and is now helping pass the game on to a whole new generation. I wish him and his team good luck.
5 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I show great respect for Mr.Leyson God bless you.
6 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
carl said:
Mr. Reiskin, While I agree that street cleaning does little good I believe its for a differnt reason other than saving tax payer money. Julian Ave remains filthy on a regular basis-full or urine, syringes and needles. Your right, save tax payer dollars hopefully for something more productive like building a DPW substation right on julian at 15th. That wont solve it either but I suspect the money is going to go to something as misguided as this. When Julian Ave no longer smells like the filth and stench it has for the last ten years than I wont be embarrassed to have friends and relatives over. Be proud of your accomplishments and add this one to your resume.
12 agree | 12 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Gretchen is my Aunt
16 agree | 15 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Great article. Glenda is truly a professional in her field. More hospitals should take her advise.
18 agree | 17 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Congratulations Newborn Connections for putting together such a great event!!
20 agree | 18 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
SF Momma said:
This is great! I am a breastfeeding mom in SF and I truly appreciate a family friendly event like this. I got a mailer with all the info last week and you can RSVP online & learn more at www.cpmcbabysteps.org/rsvp Sounds fun! I am definitely bringing the entire family out for this one.
22 agree | 17 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Bay Area Taxpayer said:
Lisa who ?
21 agree | 20 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Maribel LaLanne said:
Thanks Uncle Jack for the continued support to give to Chris and I with the opening of LaLanne Fitness! We love you very much!
24 agree | 23 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
My mission in life is to help people, help themselves. Today... do something for the most important person on this earth, YOU! -Chris LaLanne www.lalannefitness.com
25 agree | 23 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
ive noticed she has gained weight. a lot of flowy tops. its okay. it happens to all of us!
28 agree | 24 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Love the music from the new Jon Peter Lewis album, "Break the Silence!" I'm driving about 6 hours to get to San Francisco to see his show this weekend (sad for me, it's the closest he's been to the northwest). I've seen him perform before, after his freshman album release...and he rocks! It'll totally be worth the drive :D
24 agree | 23 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
I for one see no reason for two people of the same sex and truly love each and stand by each other. How can we decide how and can not be married. Look at David and Bruce they have been together 27 years. Let me ask you question how many men and women that are married are still together? Not many that I know of
35 agree | 31 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Michael Bakkie said:
I can only hope her 'realignment' is everything Barbara hopes for. And I hope we get to hear from her now and then. Missing her is okay, loosing her would be a heartache.
29 agree | 30 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
great to hear local bay area sports. gives inspiration to others. not everyone gets to be barry b.
34 agree | 34 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Great answer on the last question.
34 agree | 33 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
How nice it is to read about someone from our locale succeeding. Cudos to the writer for a fun well written interview and for following up in recognizing that a peninsula boy made it to an NFL team as an undrafted free agent.
37 agree | 33 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Bombers!!!! said:
Great!!! GO BOMBERS!!! This is so cool and brings back to when I was a kid eating this stuff up!!! YEA.
36 agree | 35 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
George Chu said:
We attended the game last night and it was incredible! The house was packed and really got into it! The Bombers pulled off an exciting overtime victory. We can hardly waite till they skate their again.
38 agree | 37 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
This show is absolutely HILARIOUS!! ...would love to see it again and have one of my friends chosen. And how HOT is Thomas Blake?!!
35 agree | 35 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
MCPS parent said:
Ben is on a power trip, following the lead of Nancy Navarro. This know-it-all kid has been put in dangerous position of power that adds no wisdom to the decisions of the school board.
39 agree | 41 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
gretchen. three of us in Utah read your article, Snow prevents us from planting, but upon return to tiburon, we will plant sunflowers! Great idea to get data. Andy, Mara, and Evon
51 agree | 48 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Gregory Kohs said:
Ack! Examiner, you asked the forbidden question! What’s next for Wikia and the Wikimedia Foundation? Those two entities are NEVER to be uttered in the same sentence within earshot of Jimmy Wales! It makes him go CRAZY! He is convinced that the two organizations are "completely separate" (even though for years, 60% of the Board seats of the Wikimedia Foundation were filled with Wikia employees). He will stop at nothing to re-educate the media, until we all believe there is NO CONNECTION! Look, even in his response to the question, he only talks about Wikia, not the Wikimedia Foundation. This is because he was too busy thinking of new ways to claim analogous "COMPLETELY SEPARATE" relationships to respond to the WMF part. For example, "George Bush and the oil industry are COMPLETELY SEPARATE entities"; "Donny and Marie Osmond are COMPLETELY SEPARATE entities"; "Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler are COMPLETELY SEPARATE entities". Seriously, Examiner - play fair with Jimbo.
133 agree | 128 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
who is oskar schindler?
214 agree | 185 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why is Sammy Hagar alive?
208 agree | 194 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Kimo Crossman said:
Ted Egen is the fellow who wrote the glorious study advocating untold savings and usability for the EarthLink Wi-Fi deal even in the face of huge red flags. Even as it was all falling apart he refused to revise his report.
229 agree | 204 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said: said:
Corruption is rampant in the city....we would venture to say that over 75% of what happens in the city, at various levels is corrupt. Rosenstein in our opinion is doing as best as he can. But your talking about deep seeded corruption, that has been allowed to florish over the years. That's tough to break, but it can be done, with high profile arrests of certain individuals who use the limelight to hide behind, while at the same time doing dirty deeds...behind closed doors. But we believe the Fed's are aware of this, and they are watching and waiting....
309 agree | 301 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
For the Captain to even give an interview , contradicts what residents hda feared all along. Why when this woman told what she knew was killed and her murder remains unsolved.? MPD need to really do more than only show up after fact. They need to do more policing and stop making excuses for how laxed they are in solving crimes. They have a protocol that does not help the prosecutors when they do get case. So many families in the District have lost loved ones and have been harassed by MPD that they don't even get the respect of serving and protecting. Read the Inspector General 2007 report of how unprofessional these detectives are. You can read a newspaper and stare into the the tv screen, but families in DC are sick and tired of the murders and tired of being accused of MPD blunders and mishaps...
348 agree | 317 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree