Pizza Quest with Peter Reinhart

Hi Everyone, I’m on my way to Chicago for the bi-annual WheatStalk Conference, our version of Woodstock, where 250 serious “bread-heads” gather for workshops, lectures, demo’s and all things bread. I’ll be leading a wood-fired pizza workshop.  Lots of fun!!!  I’ll blog about it right here when I get back. (And I’m sure at least one pizza quest adventure awaits us in the Windy City — not yet sure where…Read More…

Hi Everyone, We have a new posting from Brad coming soon, all about a killer Lamb Merguez sausage pizza that he came up with in his Primavera 60. However, we’re having some technical issues with our photo posting service. As soon as we clear that up, we’ll post it. Also, I have an interview coming up with Liz Barrett, Editor at Large and writer for PMQ Magazine (Pizza Marketing Quarterly)…Read More…

I first saw Robin Williams perform about a year before his career took off, when he was doing stand up in San Francisco, where I lived at the time. I was about 28 years old and I went to a comedy club, called The Boarding House, with a friend, having heard rumors of this hot new comic. About ten minutes into his frenetic routine my friend and I looked at…Read More…

Hi Again, I’m about to head out with my wife SUsan for some long-awaited R&R, so will just post a quick one today and do a more substantial posting when I get back. I want to tell you then all about The Kneading Conference that I just attended in Skowhegan, Maine, a true fantasy camp for serious bread-heads, but still need to gather my photos and collect my thoughts. I…Read More…

You only thought you didn’t have any pepperoni in the fridge! They say pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping in the United States.  I’m sure that the vast majority of that comes on delivery pizzas and your local town or chain pizzerias.  When we think of artisan pizza, pepperoni isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.  In fact, it’s the opposite…you’ll almost never see pepperoni on any artisan…Read More…

Note from Peter:  This is the final installment of Bob’s series, which has been a huge inspiration for many of us. Bob has shown that where there’s a will (and serious fire) there’s a way. Please note in the narrative below the link to Bob’s video, which was professionally filmed by a local crew for television — really terrific! And feel free to subscribe to his newsletter and stay connected…Read More…

Hi Again, It’s been awhile; crazy summer, going way too fast.  Just a few quick items for you: –First, we’ll be running Bob Radcliffe’s final installment of the Rocky Ford Tomato Pie series in a few days, so please do check back. It’s been a very inspirational story, full of useful tips for anyone who loves pizza and also for those of us who still have a dream or two…Read More…

Part Six – A “Field of Dreams” When we bought our Rocky Ford farm property in 1997, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. We had previously restored an 1858 row house in the historic Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia, but this was different — nearly 55 acres with a stream along side. We named our farm property Lynch Creek, after the stream that I found had more history…Read More…

PART FIVE – LAYERS OF FLAVOR My experiences working at Jack’s Firehouse were the most memorable of my 20 years living in Philadelphia. The deal I made with Chef Jack McDavid was simple – I would work one day a week without pay, if he would teach me three new things each shift. When I left and moved to Rocky Ford, he told me, “If you put your mind to…Read More…

As promised, here is the announcement of the new book project I wrote about a couple of weeks ago, “Modernist Breads.” I’ve copied the text below but, for photos and a link to the Modernist website, see it in full at: http://modernistcuisine.com/2014/05/the-art-and-science-of-bread/ (The text below is copied from the link above, written by the folks at Modernist Cuisine. Enjoy! I’ll keep you all posted as we get deeper into the…Read More…