Cops Cook at 10th Annual Cast Iron Chef

^{Pictured: The New York City Police Department was the first-place winner at the 10th annual Cast Iron Chef Cooking Competition.}

Local law enforcement officers representing the Nassau County, Suffolk County, Old Westbury, Brookville, and New York City police departments gathered at NYIT de Seversky Mansion on September 12 to compete in the 10th annual Cast Iron Chef Cooking Competition. Appetizing scents charmed guests as sizzles, chopping, and the chime of utensils filled the air.

Hosted in appreciation for the police departments that serve New York Tech’s Long Island and New York City campuses, the cook-off is modeled after popular television shows Chopped and Iron Chef. This year’s competition welcomed cookbook author and television host Lidia Bastianich and president and chief executive officer of Catholic Faith Network Monsignor James Vlaun (M.A. ’93), who served as emcees.

“Food nurtures and connects people,” said Bastianich as she greeted the crowd. “Food brings everybody to the table.”

Bastianich, an Emmy award winner, owns a flourishing food and entertainment business, including bestselling cookbooks and restaurant locations in New York City and Kansas City. Monsignor Vlaun leads several television programs, including the cooking show Real Food on one of the nation’s largest Catholic television and media networks.

After opening remarks from Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Balentine, D.O., and Robert Rizzuto, dining services director for both NYIT de Seversky Mansion and New York Tech, the competing officers assembled at their cooking stations and got to work for the 30-minute challenge period.

The five teams were challenged to create a dish using specific ingredients: chantarelle mushrooms, white onion, potato, fennel, kale, and duck. Basic ingredients were also available for use.

Judging the teams’ meals were School of Management Dean’s Advisory Board member Debra Cattani (B.S. ’75, M.B.A. ’81), Founder and Principal of JMV Associates and JMV Architects Jacqueline Velez (B.Arch. ’85), President and Chief Executive Officer of Unique Electric Solutions Joseph Ambrosio (B.S. ’94), and Tom Jurgielewicz of Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd., one of North America’s leading Pekin duck suppliers.

Third place was awarded to the Nassau County Police Department, while the Suffolk County Police Department received second place. In the end, it was the New York City Police Department taking home a first-place win. Judging criteria included teamwork, food handling, timing, ingredient usage, presentation, creativity, and, of course, flavor to give teams their final score.

While the top three teams received a commemorative engraved cutting board, every team left a winner, as NYIT de Seversky Mansion made a $2,000 donation to each team’s charity of choice. The New York City Police Department selected the Caitlin Rose McDonald Fund, the Old Westbury Police Department chose the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, the Nassau County Police Department decided on the Superior Officers Association Charitable Foundation, the Brookville Police Department opted for the Interfaith Nutrition Network, and the Suffolk County Police Department picked New York Tech alumna Eileen Shanahan’s (B.F.A. ’87) Warrior Ranch Foundation.