The 2nd annual Chili Cookoff took place in NYC , Sunday, the 29th at the Chelsea Market in NYC to an overflow crowd of chiliheads. 21 chili chefs and their restaurants from New York Metro participated. For the price of admission you were offered a chili mug and a spoon to sample any of the chili pots provided by the 21 chefs including beer and ice cream free-of-charge. The event was well attended by the under 35 set and was enthusiastically received. Three winners for the best in taste were announced. The first  place winner was La Palapa Mexican Restaurant. Barbara Sibly, its owner and Domingo Torres, its chef, took home a trophy. Try www.lapalapa.com for their recipe. For all those attending a take-home souvenir of the chili mug you came in with was yours. The on-site major sponsor was the Dickson’s Farmstand, Inc., located in Chelsea Market. They’re noted for artisanal meat products. They’re at: www. dickson’sfarmstand.com

Food Systems Network NYC was the chief sponsor. This is a non-profit organization trying to address the issue of healthy choices in food service and affordable food costs for the NYC population. Really worthwhile. The NYC Council on the Environment of NYC is a prime motivator here. For more info on what they do go to: www. foodsystemsnyc.org.

I found this event unique and worthwhile. I’ll be back for next year’s third annual.

Michael Zufolo  reporting

Jan.11-12, New York:IDIC 2012 Award Winners were announced at the International Culinary Institute. This will be followed by an International Day of Italian Cuisines on Jan.17.Some of Italy’s finest chefs participated on Jan.11 and 12. These included Master Pastry Chef Gianluca Fusto, Master Chef Pietro Zito for Pasta, Master Butcher Simone Fracassi for Salami and Salsiccia, Pizza Masters Mass.Crocetti and Domenico Crolla and Chef Gennaro Esposito and Master Chef Pino Cuttaia.

Picture: Winning chefs at IDIC’s 12th annual awards for excellence in Italian Cuisine, Jan.11-12, International Culinary Institute, New York

Italy Week, New York, Jan.11-17

Jan.11-12, International Culinary Institute hosts Italian Chefs in its annual Italian Culinary awards program.  Winners include Master pastry Chef Gianluca Fusto; Master Chef Pietro Zito for  pasta; Master Butcher Simone Frascassi, for salami, salsiccia; Pizza Masters Massimiliano Crocetti and Domenico Crolla; Michelin star chefs Gennaro Esposito and Pino Cuttaia, both of whom offered a Master Class demonstration of their classic dishes in this two-day event at the ICI, located on Broadway and Grand sts., in New York City. At this I was able to sample a variety of regional dishes. My favorites  included Ossobuco Milanese, and various types of Rissoto. I also witnessed the making of fresh pasta, exquisite Neopolitan style pizza, and hefty provisions of salsiccia and salami. Wow! Also served in bold presence was the ever popular formaggio Grana Padana  now produced in five regions of Italy, I’m told. Their Grande Riserva, aged for 20 months or more is considered world-class. Choice of beverage included acqua Ferrelle  and Illy coffee from Trieste, Italy. Master Chef and Dean of the Italian Studies program at the ICI, Cesare Casella, officiated. This event is to follow on Jan.17 with the International Day of Italian Cuisines, a global event.

In this same week the region of Marche is here to celebrate its heritage through some of its  popular wines, natural food products, travel, theatre and art. On Friday, the 13th, salumeria Di Pola, a 100 year plus fixture on Grand Street in Little Italy will showcase its fare in an invitation only event from 5-8pm. Pasta Campofilone will be introduced by Vincenzo Spinosi, iconic producer from that region who states  ” we still break our eggs by hand.” Distillery Varnelly will provide a sampling of traditional products also while the Domodimonti Natural Wine group will oblige the guests with its varietals from its Ascoli Piceno precinct. The tasting then moves uptown to Eataly, a younger station but perhaps NYC’s largest emporium for traditional Italalian products. This takes place on Saturday, the 14th from 12-8pm at their 23rd street location.  In their Eccellenze Corner the tasting will however run from noon to closing. Not to be undone, the region will also celebrate its artistic measurements with a featured performance of Alexis, A Greek Tragedy, performed by Motus. Both The New York Times and I-Italy, a national web-site applauded this rendition of the ancient Greek play by Antigone.The La Mama Theatre in the East Village is the locale. Says Gilberto Santini of AMAT, the organizers of the event, ” At the beginning of each show we provide each viewer with an elegant program containing, along with the plot of the show, also detailed information about our region.”

A more detailed view of the Italian Genius may be experienced in a large panoramic display at the Italian Cultural Institute located on Park Avenue and 68th Street in New York City. The program runs through February.

Michael Zufolo, reporting

Thurs.,Oct.20, LET’S TRAVEL! Radio goes “live.” Special one-hour show on DANCE features a cadre of personalities who know DANCE best.

From the USA DANCE Assn., Jang Chen, Pres., New York Chapter,
tells us why Ballroom Dancing has again become so popular of late and what younger Americans are finding out about classical dancing.

Denise McClennan, a spokesperson for the National Dance Assn.,which partners with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, discloses her findings about reasons for dance’s revival in broad strokes, and all across America. She ought to know as she’s been at it for her entire adult life.
Denise teaches Dance, but also Yoga, and Physical Ed.Some interesting anecdotes here.

Beate Becker reps for the American Therapy Dance Assn.,a professional organization that focuses on Dance as a everday tool for medical support, emotional balance, and social posture.
She explains why Dance is vital arithmetic to stay healthy and fit in today’s fast-paced world. Her organization is long on education
wherever Dance is taught.

Listen in this Thursday, Oct.20,
12-1pm “live.” on NYTalkRadio.Net, then on LET’S TRAVEL! Radio and Podcast 24/7 on the 21st. Find out her best kept secrets for living longer,
productive, and ahead of the curve.

Michael Zufolo reporting
Friday, Oct. 21

Columbus Citizens Foundation’s annual gala/ NYC’s Waldorf Astoria/10/8 was a smash. Over 1,000 attended. Grand Marshall J.J.Plumeri, Chairman & CEO, The Willis Group/ Honorees Robert La Penta, Gen.Partner, Ashton Capital Partners and Stephen Squeri, Group Pres.,Global Services, American Express. were feted.Frank Fusaro, the organization’s president, president. CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, anchored. Lou Tallarini, Board Chair and Lawrence Auriana, Co-Chair officiated. Pia Toscano,American Idol guest star performed the musical notes. Major sponsors included Delta, Masarati Motor Cars, HSBC,TD Bank
Country Bank Amex, Generoso Pope Foundation, et. al.This year’s message suggested “hope, dreams and education.”

This was followed on 10/9 with an annual Wreath Ceremony at the statue of Christopher Columbus on Broadway’s Columbus Circle.
Ambassador of Italy, Giulio Terzi Di Sant’Agata and Consul General of Italy,Natalia Quintavale presented.
Foundation president Frank G.Fusaro
again officiated.Opening remarks were made by J.A. Guagliardo, Pres./CEO of the National Council of Columbis Associations and George Maragos, Nassau County Comptroller.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation is a non-profit org. designed to maintain and preserve Italian heritage here in the U.S. It fosters and promotes cultural events and celebrates Italian
heritage programs throughout the year. It is heavily involved with supporting academic excellence through its scholaship platform through its Adopt-A-Scholar Donors
roster of providers for young students who normally cannot afford a college education.

On Monday, Oct. 10, the foundation kicks-off its annual Columbus Day Parade from 12-3 pm on NYC’s Fifth Avenue. It will be hosted again by Maria Baritromo and Joe Piscopo, on WABC-TV Channel 7 in New York.The parade has been an annual tradition since 1929.

Michael Zufolo, reporting

A new company has hit the streets in Brooklyn, New York. BROOKLYN EATS
is introducing a unique concept. Small groups of up to 24 sign up for a reasonable charge of $115 and ride off in a comfortable mini-van to sample a minimum of 3 Brooklyn restaurants, each with a different menu than the other. And you’ll tour the neighborhoods they’re in. Takes 4 hours and is worth the time and $$$.
Start with a tasty lunch, then to a mid-day tasting and end up with desert and a choice beverage which is usually the owner’s own. Bear in mind that you’re being offered a sampler from the restaurants you’ll visit. So expect some unexpected
treats. I was pleasantly surprised.
The promoters of this tour may even provide you with a gift bag with some
“goodies” upon your return to your home base depending on the itinerary.

BROOKLYN EATS can be reached be by
e-mail or phone at: 1-800-742.3197.
Their web-site is:
www.brooklyneatsfoodtours.com.
Tell them I sent you.

Michael/ Let’s Travel Radio

A Night to Remember
Roy Ward Baker, 1958, A powerful, impressively mounted re-creation of the Titanic disaster, told from the point of view Second Officer Charles Lightoller, the most senior crew member to survive.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Howard Hawks, 1953, Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy (Jane Russell) are just “Two Little Girls from Little Rock” on a transatlantic cruise enjoying the company of eligible men.

Love Affair
Leo McCarey, 1939, Co-stars Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer each claimed this shipboard romance was their favorite movie, boasting wonderful chemistry in one of Hollywood’s best-loved films.

A Night to Remember
Roy Ward Baker, 1958, A powerful, impressively mounted re-creation of the Titanic disaster, told from the point of view Second Officer Charles Lightoller, the most senior crew member to survive.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Howard Hawks, 1953, Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe)  and Dorothy (Jane Russell) are just “Two Little Girls from Little Rock” on a transatlantic cruise enjoying the company of eligible men.

Love Affair
Leo McCarey, 1939, Co-stars Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer each claimed this shipboard romance was their favorite movie, boasting wonderful chemistry in one of Hollywood’s best-loved films.