Tony Gemignani: SF Pizza Champion Wins Big at World Championships

Tony Gemignani takes time out to enjoy some of his own pizza at his famed restaurant in North Beach.Photo byTony Gemignani's tonyspizza415 Instagram Page

Tony Gemignani will have to find more room on his trophy case. The famed 13-time world pizza champion won two more awards at the prestigious top 50 pizza world championships in Naples, Italy.

Tony is the owner of Tony's Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco's North Beach area. Yesterday he won the award for the pizza of the year, and Tony's restaurant was voted the 6th best pizzeria in the world! This is nothing new for Tony, as his restaurant has been named the best in the past. His pizza that he made on the the television show "Mission Impossible" with Chef Robert Irvine won the award for pizza of the year for Tony.

For an American to be respected as a “pizzaiolo” and chef by iconic Italian chefs takes an immense amount of hard work and talent. Tony is greatly respected around the world, and many of these Italian greats think of him as one of the great pizza makers of our generation.

Tony's lovely wife Julie and his son Gino who is already showing a talent for pizza making.Photo byTony Gemignani's tonyspizza415 Instagram page.

Along with having several restaurants, Tony has also spread his pizza like religion. His motto "Respect The Craft" is the foundation for his employees and his restaurants. He is growing his Slice House pizzarias all throughout the west coast and is now franchising them. What sets him apart is that he has greatly studied the art of pizza making and has mastered all types. He also takes pride in training his staff to do things the way he does. From a Sicilian, New Haven, Detroit style, and even New York style, Tony's pizza crust alone makes you know you are having something special.

Tony also has a great passion for San Francisco and is trying to be a catalyst in the restoration of business. With all of the negativity that so many have put on San Francisco, there are bright lights of business all over "The City" and Tony's is one of them. For years Tony has hired local artists to help bring back a pride to San Francisco and North Beach and he's been a key figure and even a Grand Marshall at many Italian festivals in The City.

Many feel that San Francisco is slowly coming back and Tony is part of that resurgence. One passionate pizza at a time.