Carbo-loading is a must at SF's pizza, bagel and beer festival

San Francisco -- The San Francisco Pizza, Bagel and Beer Festival in North Beach celebrated three years with food, fun and carbs! The man behind the festival is Tony Gemignani, a 13-time World Pizza Champion and legendary restaurateur. Gemignani collaborated with the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation to make this event come to life.

"I did a lot of pizza festivals over the years. I did one in New York. I was in Naples. I was in Chicago. Then I said San Francisco really has to have a pizza festival but COVID happened, so I couldn't do it. But right out of COVID, I started it. And thought, let's add a beer component. Let's add a bagel component. And here we are," Gemignani said.

The third annual festival took place on Saturday, August 16, in the heart of San Francisco's historic North Beach neighborhood, with over 65 local pizzerias, bagelries, and breweries for a lively afternoon of food and community.

"You get to try all you can eat pizza, all you can eat bagels. You could be here for up to almost five hours just trying pizzas. And it's pretty incredible because it's the talent that comes. People don't really think that San Francisco has great pizza. It totally does, and there's a variety of pizzas, too. Tavern, Neapolitan, Detroit, Sicilian, Grandma, I mean, you name it, it's at this festival," said Gemignani.

Gemignani and the SF Italian Athletic Club raised an impressive $65,000 in support of local organizations, including the John Arena Foundation, Salesian Boys & Girls Club, Saints Peter & Paul School, and the North Beach Business Association, exceeding last years goal. In total they have raised over $200,000 in the past three years.

"We really raise a lot of money for a lot of good charities, and it's always for a good cause. It's a pretty awesome feeling, you know, you have a festival and sure people come into your restaurant, but people come out and just kind of shake your hand, all of that is just something that's really special."

It was a fun-filled, feel-good day for everyone involved.

"I would come back for the 30th year if it keeps going that long," added third-time festival enthusiast, Maya.

"I can't get enough! All of my favorite pizza places in one spot, amazing!" exclaimed first-time festivalgoer, Tarik.

Be on the lookout for next year's 4th Annual San Francisco Pizza, Bagel and Beer Festival!