About Billy Manzo
Bill Manzo History
Born and raised in Providence, Billy Manzo Jr.’s journey to culinary excellence began as a young boy in his family’s backyard kitchen. There, he watched his Aunt Anna and Aunt Rosie transform simple ingredients — Italian toast, and provolone cheese — into something unforgettable. His father would always remind him, “Don’t forget where it started.”
As Billy grew, so did his passion for food. He dedicated himself to mastering every discipline demanded of great cooks, always eager to learn and embrace new opportunities. His journey eventually took him to Las Vegas, where he worked on the set of Casino directed by Martin Scorsese. He later worked in the kitchens of some of Nevada’s finest restaurants, but despite their sophistication, Billy knew nothing compared to the lessons he learned at home.
Eventually, Billy returned to Rhode Island and opened a cigar lounge. Friends and customers constantly asked him the same question: “Why aren’t you cooking?”
Billy listened.
“I bought an oven, set it up in the store, flipped some tiles upside down to create a terra-cotta surface, and started making pizza,” Billy recalls. “I made the dough from scratch and offered pizza to my customers. The first night, I sold 40 pizzas.”
The response was immediate. Before long, Billy was selling 300 to 400 pizzas every week. His famous dough balls became the first frozen Neapolitan-style dough sold in more than 200 supermarkets throughout the Northeast.
That success inspired him to open his first retail pizzeria in Warren, RI — but for Billy, the story was only beginning.
Driven by a relentless desire to perfect his craft, Billy traveled the world studying with master chefs who upheld the oldest traditions and highest standards of pizza-making throughout Europe. Today, Billy stands among an elite group as one of the only certified American Master Pizzaiolos in the United States — and notably, the second American ever to achieve that distinction.
Now, Billy brings that international culinary acclaim directly into your kitchen with Billy Manzo Pizza.
Crafted with savory dough made using water sourced from Italy’s most prestigious regions and featuring Galbani cheese — Italy’s number one cheese brand — every pizza reflects Billy’s belief that excellence never tolerates compromise.
Only a master can create a masterpiece.
And now, you’re holding one in your hands: Billy Manzo Pizza.
The Heartbeat of Chalkstone Avenue: More Than Just a Pizza Shop
For Billy Manzo Jr., Federal Hill Pizza was never just a business; it was a love letter to the neighborhood that raised him. When he stepped into the old Castle Cinema on Chalkstone Avenue, he wasn't just looking for a kitchen. He was looking for a way to breathe life back into a place that held the echoes of a thousand childhood memories.
The renovation was, in Billy’s own words, a "labor of torture." It took two long years of sweat, late nights, and relentless dedication to restore the historic theater to its former glory. But he did it because he remembered being a kid in those same seats, and he wanted the next generation of Providence kids to have a place where they felt they belonged.
When the doors finally opened, it wasn't just the smell of wood-fired dough that filled the air—it was the sound of stories. People would walk in, eyes wide, and point to a corner of the restaurant. "I had my first date right there when this was a theater," they’d say. Or, "My grandfather used to bring me here every Saturday." Billy didn't just serve them pizza; he gave them their memories back, served on a warm crust with a side of genuine Rhode Island soul.
The decision to close the Providence location in 2022 wasn't made in a boardroom; it was made with a heavy heart. It was a pivot toward a new dream—bringing that same master-level quality to kitchens across the country—but the physical walls of the Castle Cinema remain a testament to what happens when a local boy refuses to forget where he started.
Even now, as the "original" location in Warren carries the torch, the spirit of Federal Hill Pizza remains rooted in that backyard kitchen in Providence. It’s in the way Billy greets his customers like old friends and the way he pours his heart into every dough ball. It’s a reminder that in a world of fast food and faceless corporations, there are still places where the food tastes like home because the person making it actually cares about the people eating it.
Federal Hill Pizza was a place where the community gathered, not just to eat, but to be together. And while the locations may change, that heartbeat—that fierce, local pride—is something that can never be closed. It lives on in every slice, a masterpiece born from a master who never forgot his roots.
Media Presence: Billy Manzo Jr. and Billy Manzo Pizza
Billy Manzo Jr. has been widely recognized across various media platforms, from local Rhode Island outlets to national food networks and industry publications. His charismatic personality and status as a Master Pizzaiolo have made him a frequent subject of culinary features.
Television and Video
Food Network: Billy's cooking and expertise have been featured on the Food Network, highlighting his skills as one of the few American Master Pizzaiolos. Phantom Gourmet: A frequent guest and subject of the Phantom Gourmet, which has showcased his brick oven pizzas at Federal Hill Pizza in both Warren and Providence RI. YouTube and Podcasts: Featured on the Since Sliced Bread podcast by Baking Business, discussing his journey into the frozen pizza segment .•Regular appearances on industry-focused channels like Pizza Therapy and PMQ Pizza Magazine's video content .•Featured in Spotlight Rhode Island reels, documenting his transition from a cigar lounge to a certified Master Pizzaiolo .
Print and Digital Publications
Rhode Island Monthly: Featured in a comprehensive profile titled "Meet Rhode Island’s Only Master Pizzaiolo," which detailed his background in film, his cigar lounge roots, and his certification in Italy . The Providence Journal: Highlighted in columns by Mark Patinkin, focusing on his artistry and his impact on the local food scene .•PMQ Pizza Magazine: A regular contributor and featured expert, Billy has written numerous articles on pizzeria marketing, operations, and social media success. Shop In RI: Featured in the article "Billy Manzo Jr. Creates Pizza From The Heart," which explored his Italian-Armenian heritage and the launch of his frozen pizza line .
Industry Recognition
International Pizza Expo: A prominent figure at the world's largest pizza trade show, often sponsored by Galbani to demonstrate techniques and speak on industry trends . World Pizza Champions: As a member of this elite group, he has competed and been featured in international pizza competitions around the globe.
Social Media Influence
Instagram & Facebook: Billy maintains a significant presence on social media (over 100K followers on Instagram), using these platforms to educate consumers about authentic Italian ingredients and share behind-the-scenes content of his "Made in Italy" frozen pizza line
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