The pizza industry in America is paved with Italian dreams. I often wonder if in1905 when Gennaro Lombardi crafted pizza in the United States using his bakers trade he learned from Naples, he had any idea of the legacy that he would leave for future generations of Italians. Lombardi is credited with developing New York Style pizza and making Lombardi's the first pizzeria in the United States. 

Thanks to the vision and the success of  Lombardi’s, Americans developed an appetite for pizza, and innovative Italians learned to satisfy their cravings. One such story is that of now world-renowned founder/owner of Washington, DC’s legendary Il Canale, 90 Second Pizza, and A Modo Mio, Joe Farruggio.

The noted Pizzaiolo began his career  by working as a dishwasher in a pizzeria in New York in 1970, just five days after he  came from Italy on a ship called Michelangelo with his family. In 1977 he moved to Virginia and noticed that the presence of the Italian culture and authentic cuisine was scarce in the nation’s capital. 

His newly released memoir, My Name is Joe And I am a Pizza Man, An American Story (Fourth Lloyd Productions, 2022), follows his footsteps from his childhood in Sicily to the kitchen of his world-renowned Il Canale restaurant in Washington, D.C. Now available on Amazon, the memoir was co-written with award-winning, best-selling author Thierry Sagnier and offers valuable lessons for anyone searching to make their dreams come true. 

My Name Is Joe And I Am A Pizza Man, An American Story is the quintessential immigrant story, an entrepreneur's tale of rags to riches, demonstrating that with courage, intelligence and instinct, the sky is the limit. Mr. Farruggio’s award-winning restaurant, Il Canale is the only restaurant in D.C. to receive the top culinary honor from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce and the National Institute of Tourism. Il Canale was named “One of the 70 Best Italian Restaurants and Pizzerias in the World” and  one of Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” 2022. It also holds the coveted Gambero Rosso title for being a “Top Italian Restaurant” In Washington, DC, and many other distinguished honors. Within a few years of opening, Il Canale became a celebrity hot spot in the heart of DC’s Georgetown neighborhood. 

“If I can do it, they can do it,” says Joe Farruggio, when discussing anyone who has a goal to be met, with a smile. He firmly believes that the extraordinary situations and challenges which he overcame will provide hope to those facing their own difficulties or who would like to transform perceived limitations. Equally inspirational and thought evoking, Mr. Farruggio’s biography will motivate readers to follow their passions while increasing their profits. View his upcoming events  here. 

About Joe Farruggio

Award-winning restaurateur/pizzaiolo/chef Joe (Giuseppe) Farruggio, was born and raised in beautiful Agrigento, Sicily. With more than 53 years of restaurant, entrepreneurial, and culinary experience, he is now the owner of the renowned Washington, DC landmark Il Canale (one of Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat 2022), as well as the rapidly expanding 90 Second Pizza Concept and A Modo Mio in Virginia. Mr. Farruggio’s restaurants and his story have  been featured in countless articles including those in: Forbes, The Washington Post, Washington Life Magazine, Thrillist, Washingtonian, USA Today, The Georgetowner, Eater DC, and many more newspapers, magazines, blogs, and television programs. Nowadays he lives in Washington, DC with his wife Teresa, and is the proud father of three children; Roberto, Enrico, and Alessandro and a grandfather of Francesco. 

For more information on Joe Farruggio, please visit www.joefarruggio.com or to schedule media interviews, presentations, or events with Joe, please contact: Lisa.Comento@gmail.com.