Gemignani was born in
Fremont, California, to Frank and Eileen Gemignani. He grew up on his family's farm, he is a third generation
Italian American. Gemignani graduated from
Washington High School in
Fremont, and later worked at Pyzano's, his brother Frank Jr.'s restaurant in
Castro Valley, California, in 1991. Gemignani began his pizza tosser career while at Pyzano's as a way to entertain customers and to show the quality of the dough to diners. He competed all over the world, winning 8 world champion titles for pizza acrobatics between 1995–2007, and earning himself the nickname of the "
Michael Jordan of Pizza Throwing". Gemignani traveled the world for 16 years, competing, working in others' kitchens, and learning about regional styles of
pizza. Gemignani formed the World Pizza Champions in 2005, which is made up of over 60 team members who have each earned the highest awards in the pizza industry, along with television appearances,
Guinness World Records, and respect as leading professionals and pioneers in the pizza industry. In 2007, Gemignani took the title of "World Champion Pizza Maker" at the World Pizza Cup in
Naples, Italy. Gemignani was the first American and non-
Neapolitan to ever take this title. Gemignani is the first and only Triple Crown winner for baking at the International Pizza Championships in
Lecce, Italy, meaning, he won three first place titles in one competition. ==Restaurants==