The New York Pizza Project is a coffee table book documenting the heart and soul of New York City’s last authentic pizzerias through photography and interviews taken over the last five years. The foreword is written by New York Times best-selling author, and native Brooklynite, Jonathan Lethem.
The book, created and published by five 30-year-old native New Yorkers, is the first of its kind – focusing not on the pizza, but the people and places behind New York City’s favorite food. Over the past five years, the book’s creators have visited over 100 pizzerias across the five boroughs—taking photographs and capturing the stories of customers, employees, and owners.
What started five years ago as a passion-project is now a Kickstarter funded, professionally designed and printed coffee table book. In May 2014, the team raised almost $30,000 on Kickstarter—nearly double their $15,000 goal. The campaign became a featured project of the Kickstarter staff, and was featured in Gothamist, Village Voice, Time Out NY, Huffington Post, and NYLON.
The project is ongoing! The team continues to hit pizza shops throughout NYC—speaking with customers, makers, and photographing everything in sight.
“We grew up in a New York City that was always moving, always changing. Yet today, the change feels different. As the rise of chain stores, condos, and banks threaten to dominate the urban landscape of New York City, pizza shops serve as guardians of authenticity in the face of homogenization. This project is an homage to them and to the other small businesses that keep New York real.”
This is a team sport and we work as a unit. The five of us joined forces in 2010 and have been exploring pizzerias around the city ever since.
Gabe Zimmer
Gabe is a photographer living large in the smallest apartment in Gowanus. He's a Park Slope native & plays squash excessively.
HOME: Roma Pizza, Park Slope
AWAY: Pugsley Pizza, Belmont
Nick Johnson
Nick is a graphic designer & photographer living in Cobble Hill. He grew up on the Upper West Side and enjoys the Mets and 90s rap music.
HOME: Pizza Pete's, Upper West Side
AWAY: Louie & Ernie's, Schuylerville
Ian Manheimer
Ian is product developer and activist, raised on the UWS, and living in Williamsburg. He believes that NYC has better pizza than Italy, and that deep dish isn't pizza at all.
HOME: Best Pizza, Williamsburg
AWAY: Johnny's Pizza, Sunset Park
Corey Mintz
Corey is a graphic designer at a global architecture firm. He grew up in Park Slope and is an avid New York sports fan and travel enthusiast. He dreams of cheesy slices.
HOME: Smiling Pizza, Park Slope
AWAY: Joe's Pizza, West Village
Tim Reitzes
Tim is a UX Designer living in Prospect Heights and is a native of the Upper West Side. He likes to cook and yell at the TV while watching the Knicks.
HOME: Sal & Carmine, Upper West Side
AWAY: Luigi's Pizza, South Slope