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When you say ‘New York’ a few things spring to mind to most outsiders, but to locals, one of them is probably slice pizza. Slightly different from its close Italian ancestors, the New York-style pizza which was introduced to the city by Gennaro Lombardi in 1905 has a distinct crust, which is the result of combining high-gluten flour with the unique composition of the city’s water and its minerals. It’s sold by the slice and it’s not a surprise to learn the most delicious pizzas are not made in big chains, but in small, authentic pizzerias which can still be found throughout the five boroughs.
Five NYC natives with a passion for slice pizza decided to document its story from a different angle.
Five NYC natives with a passion for slice pizza decided to document its story from a different angle. The team is made of two photographers, three designers, and a product developer, all in their 30s. With a Kickstarter project funded almost two times over in 2014, The New York Pizza Project was born, though it took four years of research and interviews in total to complete it. This coffee table book is the first of its kind and chronicles the stories behind and in front of the counter, the pizzerias and their role in a particular neighborhood in four chapters: The Makers, The Eaters, The Shop, and The Block. A quote provided by Frank, from Rosella’s Pizza in the Financial District, illustrates the heart of the project perfectly. “If you’re someone who has that passion, then the food will taste better. It’s cooked with love. It’s that touch that makes the masterpiece.” The title may suggest this tome documents pizza, but in reality, it’s all about the people who bring these places to life. It captures the spirit of New York and of its inhabitants, featuring stories that have authenticity, passion, and community at their core. You can buy the book, a handy map showing all the featured pizzerias, photos, and posters by visiting the official site. Images courtesy of The New York Pizza Project.
