Pizza Week 2025: Brickhouse Pizza Company
OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Our Special Pizza Correspondent Mike Tanzini is clocking in for one more shift at an Owego pizza spot where all eyes are on the oven.
When Rick Tricolla decided that it was time to slow down from the pizza business and move upstate, he wasn't planning on pounding any more dough. But those plans didn't last long.
'To be honest with you – we were semi-retired, and we found a need. I always loved wood-fired brick oven pizza, and I couldn't find one in the Greater Owego and Binghamton area that so we decided to take the plunge again,' said Tricolla.
A lifelong pizzamaker and business owner, Tricolla has operated woodfire pizzerias in Brooklyn and on Long Island. While each pizza ingredient has a big role to play, the oven is the star of the show.
'The cooking, the flavor, it just can't be matched with a gas oven. Some people use gas, propane and wood. It's just not the same. We are strictly wood. I think it shows in the final product,' said Tricolla.
So, Tricolla set out to find his next woodfire location and stumbled a vacant storefront along 17-C in Owego.
'I literally tripped over this. I was driving by and just tripped over it. The landlord was a nice fellow and it had some parking, so we decided to take a shot,' said Tricolla.
Tricolla opened Brickhouse Pizza Company last fall and rolled out his menu of custom, personal 12-inch pies featuring unique flavor combinations and fresh ingredients.
'They're all cooked individually to order. There's a little bit of a char to it that people aren't used to. It's a totally different product than what standard pizza is defined as,' said Tricolla.
And, so far, customers are loving the woodfire variation.
'I wasn't sure how people would react to it but overwhelmingly, people really enjoy the different combinations of vegetables, cheeses and meats. Specialty orders don't upset us. If anyone wants a custom pizza, we're glad to accommodate,' said Tricolla.
It all starts with the dough, which is made up of several blends of flour. Once it's mixed, cut, and weighed, it goes into a 24 to 36 hour fermentation period.
And, for those keeping score at home…
'And a 65% hydration for people who know what I'm talking about,' said Tricolla.
The dough is stretched out, and unfortunately, my dough is looking stressed out.
'We're on step 2 and we're already in contingency salvage mode.'
Now, we add the sauce, made up of California, San Marzano, and a few other types of tomato. Fresh herbs and spices are added to enhance the sauce's vibrant flavor. We top it off with freshly grated Grande brand Mozzarella, commonly known as the Holy Grail of pizza cheeses.
Tricolla says the fresh, quality ingredients he uses really makes his pies stand out.
'In the end, a lot of people try to cut corners, but we use premium and the best products on the market. Everything is made daily. It's a little more work, it's a little more expensive, but I believe everybody tastes the difference,' said Tricolla.
We place our pies in the 750-degree oven, and before long, we are ready to pull it out.
'When I was doing my research and homework, I got a pizza insurance policy under Jim's name. Let's see if we'll need it here. Nice and easy. Alright! Jim doesn't need to know about the insurance. We're all good.'
It's break time on my first day so why not have a quick slice with the guys?
'Richard, Rick, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of the Brickhouse Pizza Company family today. Cheers! Perfetto! Well, time to get back to work.'
Our News 34 Pizza Poll remains live through the weekend, don't miss your opportunity to weigh in and tell us where you like to grab a slice. To do so, click here.
You can also find archives of Mike's other Pizza Week profiles from this year and many years ago by clicking here.
Maggie Memorial Golf Tournament once again benefiting children in need
Pizza Week 2025: Brickhouse Pizza Company
The Rooftop by Chef Jay Pisculli now open for the summer months
'Path Though History' explores beauty of Broome County
NYSPHSAA Softball Championships to be held this weekend in Broome County
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Boeing Engineers Turn Startup Arc Into Marine Powerhouse With New $168K Electric Boat That Outpaces Gas Competitors
Arc, a California-based startup founded in 2021 by former Boeing (NYSE:BA) engineers Mitch Lee and Ryan Cook, announced on May 15 its third all-electric boat model, the Arc Coast, priced at $168,000. The new 24-foot vessel follows the sold-out Arc One and the still-available Arc Sport, originally priced at $300,000 and $268,000, respectively, and offers a more affordable entry point for recreational boaters. According to Electrek, this new model is aimed at broader recreational markets, offering simplified design and reduced material costs while still delivering the power and performance of its predecessors. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can Arc Coast features a high-voltage 226 kWh battery, the same system used in the Arc Sport, which, according to Electrek, gives the boat a top speed of 50 miles per hour and a cruising time of four to five hours on a single charge. Instead of the large outboard engines common in traditional boats, Arc says it uses a compact sterndrive system. The open deck accommodates up to 10 passengers, creating more room for fishing, relaxing, or swimming without the bulk and noise associated with combustion engines, Electrek reports. Arc said in a statement that the center console format has long been used for fishing and sandbar outings, offering flexible movement and social space. The Arc Coast was designed from scratch to deliver quiet electric performance, streamlined software, and a simplified ownership experience compared to traditional gas-powered boats. The design also enables Arc to simplify the layout and reduce material costs. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. 'People love center consoles, but the experience hasn't improved,' Lee said in the statement. 'The Arc Coast is what you get when you start from scratch: all the benefits of quiet and powerful electric performance, powered by advanced software, and paired with an ownership experience free from many of the headaches common with today's gas boats.' According to the Environmental Protection Agency, diesel-powered boats contribute significantly to marine pollution through oil leaks, ground-level ozone, and toxic emissions that impact coastal ecosystems. Electric boats offer a cleaner alternative because they are quieter, require less maintenance, and can be charged with energy from renewable sources, Arc says. Even when factoring in the environmental cost of lithium-ion battery production, a 2016 report suggests that electric marine transport remains more sustainable than extracting and burning billions of tons of fossil fuels each year. Arc says it reused its existing battery system to reduce development time and expects to bring the Arc Coast to market in less than one year from prototype to the $168,000 price tag still places the Arc Coast in the premium category, the cost is significantly lower than previous Arc models. The new model fits into a broader trend of electrification in transportation, where marine sectors are now undergoing rapid shifts toward battery-powered mobility, according to a 2025 report from Grand View Research. Interested buyers can reserve the Arc Coast directly through the company's website, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? BOEING (BA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Boeing Engineers Turn Startup Arc Into Marine Powerhouse With New $168K Electric Boat That Outpaces Gas Competitors originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
7 Bottles Of Rosé Wine That Break The Blush Stereotype
Look beyond the blush: A closer look at color, region and label language can help you choose a rosé that delivers on flavor—not just aesthetics. Rosé has long carried an air of frivolity. Its pale hue and seasonal popularity have often led it to be dismissed as unserious—a poolside pour lacking complexity. But that narrow view is no longer accurate. Winemakers from France to California are reshaping what this style can be. These wines are no longer just light and floral; they are precise, structured and built with intention from vine to bottle. Recent market trends reflect this evolution. In 2023, the global rosé wine market was valued at approximately $3.2 billion and is projected to reach $5.2 billion by 2032. This upward trajectory underscores a growing consumer appreciation for rosé's versatility and depth. Modern rosé production has moved beyond secondary byproducts and casual releases. Several leading producers now approach rosé with the same rigor they bring to red or white wines—selecting specific plots, managing harvest schedules and controlling fermentation conditions to produce bottles that stand apart. The results vary, but they share a common goal: seriousness. From a méthode champenoise cuvée with extended lees aging to a Provencal blend showcasing saline finesse, these wines show how rosé can take on texture, minerality and depth without losing freshness. Grapes like grenache, pinot noir and cinsault appear repeatedly, but their expression varies widely depending on origin and method. These seven selections challenge assumptions, offering more than expected from a category often treated as monolithic. They suggest a new standard—one shaped less by color than by character. This California rosé takes its name from the traditional French term for pale, copper-hued wines made with pinot noir. Here, the grapes are grown and harvested specifically for rosé, not diverted from red wine production. The winemaking is deliberate: a light whole-cluster press, followed by fermentation split between stainless steel and seasoned French oak. The result is a wine with structure and detail—stone fruit, citrus and white plum layered over brisk acidity. The oak lends texture without weight, complementing the fruit rather than overshadowing it. With its precision and length, this wine dismisses the notion of rosé as secondary or something only to be consumed casually. Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé A gold standard in the hampagne world, Billecart-Salmon is known for the elegance and consistency of its brut rosé. The blend—chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier—is carefully sourced from select crus and vinified at low temperatures to preserve clarity. Extended lees aging brings texture and length, while the wine's pale color and subtle aromatics reveal a measured hand. Red berry notes, lifted by acidity and supported by a fine mousse, give the wine a quiet energy. Its structure and finish set it apart from more casual styles, reinforcing that rosé champagne can be both celebratory and composed. Chateau D'Esclans 'Whispering Angel' Rose The wine that changed the global rosé industry. Once a market disruptor, it remains relevant for its balance. Grenache, cinsault and rolle produce a full, dry, smooth wine with no sharp edges. Despite its fame, the wine is measured and clean, not cloying. It helped prove rosé could be both popular and precise. Château Gassier Côtes de Provence 'Esprit Gassier' Rosé Provence-rooted but layered, this wine opens with red berries and shifts into citrus and dried mango. Notes of clementine and menthol on the finish add structure. It resists the trope of simplicity often tied to pale pink wines. Château Minuty Prestige Rosé Grenache dominates this clean, floral wine with yellow peach and apricot, plus a saline edge. With no malolactic fermentation, it stays direct and lean. It avoids excess and instead offers control and subtlety. Gerard Bertrand 'Gris Blanc' Rosé Almost colorless, this grenache rosé from the Mediterranean is notable for its minerality and a faint sparkle. Red berry aromas and a sleek, saline finish replace any sense of sugar or softness. Its restraint redefines what fruit-driven rosé can be. Souleil Vin de Bonté Le Rosé With organic fruit and a coastal lift, this blend of grenache, syrah and cinsault evokes sea breeze and citrus peel. Gentle maceration preserves its delicacy. The wine's brightness and saline tension challenge the category's reputation for uniform sweetness.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tapcheck embeds EWA in payroll
This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Earned wage access provider Tapcheck is integrating its EWA software with Workday's human resources services as part of an ongoing effort to expand its business to millions of additional employees. The company announced Friday that it has achieved certified integration status on the Workday Marketplace, which allows companies using Workday's human capital management platform to access solutions for their employees' needs. Such integrations with HR software systems allow for a larger pool of potential new EWA users and also provide increased financial and technical efficiencies for both employers and EWA companies, Tapcheck Chief Executive Ron Gaver said in a May interview at the company's headquarters in Plano, Texas. 'With the flip of a switch, through the software … we want to enable it to millions of employees,' he said of the company's move into HR integrations versus separate one-off employer connections. Earned wage access – also known as on-demand pay – allows workers to tap their earned income before a regularly scheduled payday, generally without costs for employers. These payments typically cover hourly employees, such as those working in restaurants, hotels, and home health care, with EWA giving employers a means to retain and recruit lower-wage workers. Most EWA providers charge a fee to employees to receive money instantly – it's $3 to $5 at Tapcheck – or will offer a free option for slower access that is usually within one or two business days. Workday says its platform is used by around 11,000 organizations globally, including 60% of those listed in the Fortune 500. Tapcheck works with about 4,000 companies including Hilton Worldwide Holdings, McDonald's, Planet Fitness and Taco Bell. Privately held Tapcheck, which raised $25 million in new funds from PeakSpan Capital in April, declined to reveal any financial data. The company is profitable, Gaver said. Tapcheck rolled out a similar integration in April, embedding its EWA tools within payroll software from Viventium, a provider of payroll, human resources and compliance solutions based in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. About 500,000 healthcare workers are covered by Viventium's cloud-based payroll platform, the companies said. Tapcheck will pursue additional payroll integrations, Gaver said. The Workday partnership 'represents a significant advance towards cultivating financially resilient and content employees, which ultimately enhances recruitment, retention, and overall business success,' Gaver said in a press release shared with Payments Dive. Larger EWA competitors, such as DailyPay and Payactiv, also seek to integrate their solution with numerous payroll and HR platforms. San Jose, California-based Payactiv, for example, says it works with seven of the largest HR software companies, including ADP, Oracle and Workday. A spokesperson for New York-based DailyPay, another large EWA provider, said most payroll companies that operate a marketplace will typically have multiple EWA vendors for employers to select among. DailyPay integrates with about 200 payroll systems, he said by email this week. HR marketplace-based flexibility also offers companies a simpler path for switching their EWA provider. Since early 2024, more than half of Tapcheck's new customers have shifted to it from another EWA company, asserted Gaver, who co-founded the company with his wife, Kayling, in Los Angeles six years ago. 'From our perspective, the market is really pretty much open,' Gaver said. 'It's about 80 million hourly employees in the U.S., and maybe 15% of them right now have access to earned wage access. Eventually, it will be something that everyone has. It's going to be kind of a utility that is going to be a plug-in to payroll and also time-attendance systems.' States are gradually beginning to regulate EWA providers, with Arkansas, Maryland and Utah adding to the collection this year. Last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sought to regulate EWA providers under federal lending laws, a move that fintechs opposed. However, under the Trump administration, the CFPB has been reversing many of its prior policies. In January, the bureau rescinded a 2020 advisory opinion classifying certain EWA products as credit. It has not yet addressed the Biden administration's July 2024 interpretative rule on EWA. This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Tapcheck co-founder Kayling Gaver's name. Recommended Reading Maryland passes EWA law Sign in to access your portfolio
