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Culinary arts

Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show
Meet The Three NJ Bakers Competing On Food Network Show Three New Jersey residents are among 10 bakers competing on a brand new Food Network cooking show. "The Next Baking Master" is filmed in Paris and hosted by acclaimed pastry chef Stephanie Boswell and French-born chef and restaurateur Ludo Lefebvre.  The Garden State bakers on the show are Joe Settepani of Morganville, Robert Toland of Willingboro, and Jennalyn Walbolt of Union (scroll down for more about each one). The show is Food Network’s newest culinary competition and "gives 10 ambitious and highly-skilled American bakers unprecedented access to the most iconic pastry shops…
These High Schools Rank Top 5 In Middlesex County: Report These High Schools Rank Top 5 In Middlesex County: Report
These High Schools Rank Top 5 In Middlesex County: Report The school year is starting off on a positive note for these Massachusetts schools that out-performed neighboring institutions, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering several key areas, the following schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools in Middlesex County” report: No. 1 - Lexington: Lexington High School No. 2 - Weston: Weston High School No. 3 - Newton: Newton North High School No. 4 - Belmont: Belmont High School No. 5 - Newton: Newton South High School All five Middlesex County schools received overall grades of "A+," …
Private Chef From DMV Makes 'Chopped' Debut Private Chef From DMV Makes 'Chopped' Debut
Private Chef From DMV Makes 'Chopped' Debut This private chef is going public with his cooking skills. Austin Schwartz, who works as a private chef for catering company Chesapeake Chef Service, will be competing on Food Network's "Chopped." Please join Chef Kurt and his team on July 27th for a local seasonal dining experience, featuring the best of what the... Posted by Chesapeake Chef Service on Sunday, July 16, 2023 Schwartz's episode airs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. According to his Chesapeake Chef Service bio, Schwartz hails from farm country in northeast Pennsylvania, and grew up helping his mother and grandmother prepa…
Gluten-Free Bakery ‘Defying Gravitea’ Opens In Pequannock (LOOK INSIDE) Gluten-Free Bakery ‘Defying Gravitea’ Opens In Pequannock (LOOK INSIDE)
Gluten-Free Bakery ‘Defying Gravitea’ Opens In Pequannock (Look Inside) Hungry for a taste of gluten-free heaven? Head on over to Defying Gravitea, which held its grand opening on the Newark Pompton Turnpike in Pequannock Tuesday, May 16 following a Monday evening ribbon-cutting ceremony. Congratulations to Defying Gravitea on their ribbon cutting ceremony today! Their bakeshop is out of this world, Grand Opening is tomorrow, get yourself down there! Posted by Pequannock Chamber of Commerce on Monday, May 15, 2023 According to its website, the bakery is owned by pro-figure fitness competitor Gina R. Cassese, who studied Exercise and Nutrition and the Culina…
Bergenfield Teacher Eddie Baldwin Dies: 'Best Friend Who We Thought Would Always Be There' Bergenfield Teacher Eddie Baldwin Dies: 'Best Friend Who We Thought Would Always Be There'
Bergenfield Teacher Eddie Baldwin Dies: 'Best Friend Who We Thought Would Always Be There' Former Bergen County "Teacher of the Year" and longtime Bergenfield High School teacher Eddie Baldwin has died. Circumstances around his death were not immediately announced. Eddie BaldwinKari Anderson Baldwin worked at Bergenfield High School for more than 12 years, having founded the school's eSports team and culinary arts club. Superintendent Christopher Tully remembered Baldwin as a "caring, loving, and dedicated teacher providing his expertise with his students," who took pride in his students' success. "Seeing him on a daily basis was like seeing our best friend who we thought w…
Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line
Jeep Crashes Into Staples High School In Westport, Hits Gas Line A Jeep crashed into a  high school in Fairfield County, causing the school to be evacuated. The incident took place in Westport around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, at Staples High School. According to Lt. Eric Woods, of the Westport Police, the Jeep accidentally plowed into the Culinary Arts department classroom during the prime drop-off time. The vehicle hit a gas line in the classroom used for cooking instruction, Woods said. Students were evacuated and the Westport Fire Department was called to clear the scene. The gas was quickly shut off and multiple fans were used to ve…
Chef From Northern Westchester Voted World's Best Chef From Northern Westchester Voted World's Best
Chef From Northern Westchester Voted World's Best A celebrated chef from the region has been named the world's best by an association of highly-rated restaurants, according to a new report.  Les Grandes Tables Du Monde, an association of 179 restaurants across 23 countries, announced that Chef Daniel Boulud, a resident of Northern Westchester County, was voted the world's best restaurateur, according to AFP news. Boulud opened his flagship restaurant, "Daniel," in New York City in 1993. "At the heart of Manhattan, Restaurant Daniel is a celebrated culinary destination that blends refinement and sophistication with New York style and …
Lancaster Native, South Jersey Resident Mark Mattson Dies, 44 Lancaster Native, South Jersey Resident Mark Mattson Dies, 44
Lancaster Native, South Jersey Resident Mark Mattson Dies, 44 Lancaster, PA native and Medford, NJ resident Mark Mattson died on April 22, 2021. He was 44 years old. A lifelong athlete, Mark was raised in Medford and as an adult enjoyed playing sports with his father, his obituary says. Working in culinary arts brought him "tremendous joy and pride," particularly cooking for friends and family, his obit reads. Mark is survived by his parents, Roger and Elizabeth; siblings, Lisa (Tom) Eastep and Jennifer DiGennaro; nieces and nephews Ellie and Tyler Eastep and Olivia and Luca DiGennaro along with relatives, friends and countless loved ones. A C…
Husband & Wife Bring Philly Sticky Bun Biz To Jersey Shore Husband & Wife Bring Philly Sticky Bun Biz To Jersey Shore
Husband & Wife Bring Philly Sticky Bun Biz To Jersey Shore Sweet news: A Philadelphia sticky bun company helmed by a husband-and-wife duo is headed straight for the Jersey Shore. Barry's Buns -- opened by Joel and Jen Singer -- will open in Wildwood Crest on May 7. The store will be located at 6107 New Jersey Ave. Joel, whose middle name is Barry, launched a cheesecake business at 14 years old. He took home first place in a culinary competition to attend Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, graduating with a degree in pastry arts. He also recently worked as the regional bakery associate coordinator for Whole Foods Market in the Mid-At…
Morris County Native, Culinary Tech School Grad Nicole Cistaro Dies, 27 Morris County Native, Culinary Tech School Grad Nicole Cistaro Dies, 27
Morris County Native, Culinary Tech School Grad Nicole Cistaro Dies, 27 Morris County native and culinary technology school graduate Nicole E. Cistaro died Feb. 17 at the age of 27. Cistaro lived in Hanover Township and graduated from the Morris County School of Technology Culinary Arts Academy in 2011, her obituary says. Cistaro then furthered her education by earning a Nursing License in 2014, her memorial says. Cistaro is survived by her parents, Gene and Cathy Cistaro; her brother, Erik Cistaro, as well as several extended family members and close friends. “May she forever rest in peace,” reads her obituary. Cistaro’s memorial service has not yet been sc…
North Jersey Friends Launch Line Of Barbecue Sauces North Jersey Friends Launch Line Of Barbecue Sauces
North Jersey Friends Launch Line Of Barbecue Sauces A pair of chefs are teaming up to create a line of one-of-a-kind homemade barbecue sauces called "DM BBQ Sauces." Dave Morales, of Newark, and Vinny Botti, of Totowa, met at Twisted Elm Tavern in 2016 and became business partners two years later. They each bring their own unique culinary experience to the business, making for a sweet, tangy and savory sauce combinations. While Morales works as the chef, Botti handles the business side of operations. Together, they want to make barbecuing easy, they said. “We're bringing different flavors into your home,” Morales and Botti said. “You d…
Norwalk's Ripka's At The Beach Is Ready With The Burgers, Lobster Rolls, Oysters, Fries & More! Norwalk's Ripka's At The Beach Is Ready With The Burgers, Lobster Rolls, Oysters, Fries & More!
Norwalk's Ripka's At The Beach Is Ready With The Burgers, Lobster Rolls, Oysters, Fries & More! Going to culinary school was just an excuse to find out what Clyde Ripka didn’t know about food. Turns out it wasn’t much. When he was 12, the Long Island native and current East Fishkill, N.Y., resident, spent his summer traveling to a New Jersey Holiday Inn, where his father was a partner, to peel potatoes and wash dishes. By 14, Ripka, blonde and tall—the stereotypical surfer dude—was spending his summers surfing while working as a soda jerk at a Massapequa bowling alley. “Surfing during the day and working at a restaurant at night was right up my alley,” Ripka recalled. “And the money …
Bergen County Chefs Will Pop Dinner Into Your Car Trunk Bergen County Chefs Will Pop Dinner Into Your Car Trunk
Bergen County Chefs Will Pop Dinner Into Your Car Trunk If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to enjoy a hearty, chef-cooked meal while helping to feed families in need during the COVID-19 crisis, Trunk Pop Dinners provides the perfect solution. Located in Tenafly, Trunk Pop Dinners is run by local cookbook authors and Food Network kitchen personalities Marge Perry and David Bonom. Perry is a chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and an award-winning food writer while Bonom has catered for Bette Midler, Hilary Clinton, Sotheby's and more. Here’s how the service works: Customers place an order and pay t…
Husband, Wife Bring Chocolate Shop To Montclair Husband, Wife Bring Chocolate Shop To Montclair
Husband, Wife Bring Chocolate Shop To Montclair A husband and wife with a culinary background are bringing a chocolate bar to Montclair. Vesta Chocolate is now open at 598 Valley Road in Upper Montclair. The shop is run by triple-threat chef, chocolate-maker and chocolatier Roger Rodriguez, along with his wife and business partner Julia Choi Rodriguez, who is also a pastry chef and food stylist. Vesta Chocolate is an artisan bean-to-bar chocolate lab and boutique featuring chocolate bars, confections, and baked goods. There will also be some secret menu items all hand-crafted on premise daily in small batches by Chef Roger using organ…
Popular Greek Restaurants Merge In Englewood Popular Greek Restaurants Merge In Englewood
Popular Greek Restaurants Merge In Englewood Two popular Bergen County restaurants will soon combine forces to deliver a gourmet culinary experience described as “traditional Greek with a modern twist.” Lefkes Estiatorio in Englewood Cliffs has merged with the team at Syros Taverna in Englewood under Executive Chef Stavros Bariabas. Stavros, a native of Greece, will create dishes based around authentic flavors and ingredients from the culture. He will be working with the executive chef and owner, Taso Ntoumas. "Chef Taso wanted to find a team that could execute and deliver the wonders and flavors of Greece in each and every plate," …
Beacon's Melzingah Tap House Offers Variety Of Drinks, Food In Relaxing Setting Beacon's Melzingah Tap House Offers Variety Of Drinks, Food In Relaxing Setting
Beacon's Melzingah Tap House Offers Variety Of Drinks, Food In Relaxing Setting If you’re looking for a modern yet eclectic eatery offering a variety of classic food and drink options, Melzingah Tap House, located at 554 Main Street in Beacon, is sure to hit the spot. Ideal for craft beer and cocktail connoisseurs, Melzingah Tap House is the perfect place to relax with some quality food and drink. On the menu, you’ll find some traditional bar foods, though they’ve been crafted with a twist: starters like “grilled cheese” on a toasted baguette, mac and cheese and poutine are popular hits. For those with heartier appetites, try one of the locale’s renowned burgers — the…
Sea Cliff's Maldon & Mignonette Gains Strong Customer Reviews After One Year In Business Sea Cliff's Maldon & Mignonette Gains Strong Customer Reviews After One Year In Business
Sea Cliff's Maldon & Mignonette Gains Strong Customer Reviews After One Year In Business Reviewers continue to rave about Maldon & Mignonette restaurant, which opened in Sea Cliff just over a year ago. Located at 243 Glen Cove Avenue, M&M offers a high-class Italian dining experience thanks to the thoughtful and talented Chef Robert Occhipinti of Long Island. Diagnosed with Chrohn’s Disease in 2008, Occhipinti used his culinary prowess to create a series of dishes that are nutritious to any individual living with the condition. On the menu, M&M offers rotating and seasonal specials, all crafted with high-quality ingredients and produce. For example, on the Fall menu…
Egg-citing, Egg-ceptional, Egg-squisite: The Tasty Yolk Makes Bacon, Egg And Cheese A Star Egg-citing, Egg-ceptional, Egg-squisite: The Tasty Yolk Makes Bacon, Egg And Cheese A Star
Egg-citing, Egg-ceptional, Egg-squisite: The Tasty Yolk Makes Bacon, Egg And Cheese A Star What came first? The food truck or the restaurant? In this case, it’s the egg. Long before he became a New England Culinary Institute-trained chef and winner of Food Network's Chopped "Breakfast Battle," Fairfield native Eric Felitto was known for his bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches. From an early age he was frying them up for all his friends, his older brother and his brother’s friends, too. “It got to the point where my brother would pretend to be our father, call the middle school and sign me out during the day when he and his friends had free periods in high school so I could make san…
North Jersey Celebrity Chef Carl Ruiz Dead At 44 North Jersey Celebrity Chef Carl Ruiz Dead At 44
North Jersey Celebrity Chef Carl Ruiz Dead At 44 North Jersey celebrity chef Carl Ruiz was found dead in his apartment Sunday morning, according to recent reports. Friends say the 44-year-old suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Ruiz owned Marie's Italian Specialties in Chatham for many years and was the executive chef at Sabor in Rutherford, along with Cuban Pete's In Montclair. Before that, he worked as a sous chef at Dish in Clifton. Last June, Ruiz opened La Cubana in New York City, paying homage to his Cuban roots. Food Network star Guy Fieri lamented the loss of his good friend on social media. "I'm heartbroken that my friend c…
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Around The Towns: Mamaroneck High School Abuzz, 20 MPH T-Shirts, Peekskill Hispanic Celebration Around The Towns: Mamaroneck High School Abuzz, 20 MPH T-Shirts, Peekskill Hispanic Celebration
Around The Towns: Mamaroneck High School Abuzz, 20 MPH T-Shirts, Peekskill Hispanic Celebration The halls of Mamaroneck High are buzzing with news about beehives. The Westchester high school's Future Business Leaders of America club launched a first-of-its-kind beekeeping initiative in New York state. They were joined by students from science, engineering and culinary classes this week in extracting about 100 pounds of honey from beehives. In the spring of 2018, financed by a grant from the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, several departments at MHS joined forces to become the first public high school in the state to install bee hives on their high school grounds. Engineering …
Community Rallies Behind Family Of Popular Long Island Chef Who Died Suddenly At 34 Community Rallies Behind Family Of Popular Long Island Chef Who Died Suddenly At 34
Community Rallies Behind Family Of Popular Long Island Chef Who Died Suddenly At 34 Friends of a popular Long Island chef who died suddenly at the age of 34 are rallying behind his family to help raise funds to cover his funeral and medical expenses. Phil Pasfield of The Brixton in Babylon died unexpectedly on Friday, April 26.  His friends, who have started a GoFundMe page, describe him as "an amazing husband, friend, brother, son, chef and so much more to each and every one of us," they wrote. Pasfield, who attended Sayville High School, the State University of New York at Cobleskill, and studied at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, opened the go-to…
Chef Prasad Offers Offers Fine Indian Cuisine, And Even Cooking Classes, In New Canaan Chef Prasad Offers Offers Fine Indian Cuisine, And Even Cooking Classes, In New Canaan
Chef Prasad Offers Offers Fine Indian Cuisine, And Even Cooking Classes, In New Canaan Chef Prasad, located at 62 Main Street in New Canaan, has developed into an area staple that serves hot, fresh and authentic Indian fare. Named after head Chef Prasad Chirnomula, the eatery specializes in crafting the subtle and delicate flavors that are so well known in the four culinary regions of India. “Just as the United States is home to a melting pot of culinary traditions- so too is India, whose four regions each produce food distinct in its flavors and techniques. Chef Prasad has long hoped that eating at his restaurants will enlighten the palates of his guests to the subtleties a…
TV Show 'Cake Boss' Puts Spotlight On Baker In Hudson Valley TV Show 'Cake Boss' Puts Spotlight On Baker In Hudson Valley
TV Show 'Cake Boss' Puts Spotlight On Baker In Hudson Valley It might have taken a couple of years to make it to the spotlight, but a 24-year-old area resident and baker will be able to watch herself on TV, along with her cousin, bake up a storm on  "Bake it Like Buddy." A "Cake Boss" fan since she was a child, Rockland County's own Amarachi Onwumelu couldn't believe it when months after applying to be on the show back in 2017, she received a call in 2018 from a producer of the show asking if she was still interested. "It is still so surreal," Onwumelu said with a laugh from her home in Pomona. "I can remember baking with my mother as a little k…
Husband, Wife Chefs Ride Success Of White Plains Eatery In Downtown Stamford Husband, Wife Chefs Ride Success Of White Plains Eatery In Downtown Stamford
Husband, Wife Chefs Ride Success Of White Plains Eatery In Downtown Stamford Riding on the success of their White Plains restaurant,  the owners of Roasted are getting a grip on the Stamford market after almost two years in the downtown area. Roasted Food Co. began as a serious sandwich place and quickly morphed into a full-fledged fast-casual restaurant and bar, focusing on that same from-scratch philosophy, Chef Bill and Kristin Hall used in White Plains at the Melt Sandwich Shop. Kristin Hall was born and grew up in Newtown. The restaurant's concept starts with its namesake, a selection of meats and veggies that are roasted, cured, brined, smoked, or gr…
'Does This Work?' North Jersey Cook Tests Trendy Internet Recipes On Rachael Ray Show Segment 'Does This Work?' North Jersey Cook Tests Trendy Internet Recipes On Rachael Ray Show Segment
'Does This Work?' North Jersey Cook Tests Trendy Internet Recipes On Rachael Ray Show Segment A North Jersey cook has landed a new segment on the Rachael Ray show testing trendy recipes from the internet that have your mouth watering. Jeanette Donnarumma of Ridgewood -- the culinary producer on the Emmy-award wining show -- kicked off her "Does This Work" show with a dish called Rigatoni Pie. "Should I start with the hairspray?" she asks in the clip, before getting down to business. You guys have seen this recipe on the internet. It's that recipe where all of the rigatoni pasta are standing up straight and you make it in a springform pan. Not only has “Rigatoni …
New Szechuan Restaurant Opens Soon In Area New Szechuan Restaurant Opens Soon In Area
New Szechuan Restaurant Opens Soon In Area Award-winning chef Peter Chang plans to open his first authentic Szechuan restaurant in Connecticut. Since establishing his first Peter Chang restaurant in 2011 and growing his intimate restaurant empire to 11  locations throughout Virginia and Maryland, Chef Chang said he is excited to be entering a new marketplace on the Long Island Sound. Peter Chang Stamford’s opening is planned for Saturday, July 28, at 230 Tresser Blvd. For more details, click here: www.peterchangct.com  Known as a master of Chinese cuisine, as well as for his disappearances and reappearances, which have kept his…
Longtime Chef Daniel Tvert Of Westchester Dies At 36 Longtime Chef Daniel Tvert Of Westchester Dies At 36
Longtime Chef Daniel Tvert Of Westchester Dies At 36 Longtime chef Daniel R. Tvert of Yonkers died on Thursday, May 31. He was 36. The son of Stanley and Sharon Tvert, Daniel graduated from Saunders High School and Westchester Community College.  An avid lover of food, he worked as a chef in many restaurants in New York and New Jersey. Daniel is survived by his brothers Steven and wife Ana (Rocha), his twin brother Scott & wife Jennifer (Cacciatore), niece Ava, nephews Nicholas, Christopher and Matthew, his uncle Ron and aunt Meg, his cousins Lori, Blake and Cole. Daniel’s parents predeceased him. Final disposition was private. 
How Yeast Company Is Helping Teaneck Teen Rise How Yeast Company Is Helping Teaneck Teen Rise
How Yeast Company Is Helping Teaneck Teen Rise What stood out most to Red Star Yeast about Teaneck's Eitan Bernath was his yarmulka. It was clear to the company that the Orthodox Jew does't let his religion or the fact he keeps kosher hinder his culinary joy. That's why Red Start Yeast chose the 16-year-old Instagram sensation for a year-long endorsement of its kosher yeast products -- something the chef has been using for years in the kitchen. As part of the relationship, "Chef Eitan" will produce several original recipe videos incorporating the products throughout the year and share regular photos and stories to Instagram. …
Mount Vernon BOE Approves Near $252M Schools Budget, Vote Set For May 15 Mount Vernon BOE Approves Near $252M Schools Budget, Vote Set For May 15
Mount Vernon BOE Approves Near $252M Schools Budget, Vote Set For May 15 The Mount Vernon Board of Education has approved a near $252 million budget for the upcoming year, with Westchester County’s lowest tax rate increase for homeowners. School officials announced that the Board of Education has approved the proposed $251,979,860 budget for the 2018-19 school year, representing a .89 percent tax rate increase, the lowest in Westchester or Putnam, and the first tax rate increase since Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton took the helm in 2014. The spending plan is $5.8 million (2.36 percent) more than last year’s budget, and includes staff, programs and capit…
Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show
Fair Lawn Baker Competes On Food Network Show At 24 years old, Cristina Vazquez of Fair Lawn will be the youngest contestant to compete on a Food Network show. "Spring Baking Championship" will debut March 12 at 9 p.m. Cristina -- a proud Cuban-Puerto Rican -- found her love of baking as a teen coping with a breakup. Baking a cake made her feel better.  Cristina began volunteering at a local cake shop (since she was too young to be hired) and went on to culinary school at Johnson and Wales University. She has worked in 5-star hotels on the East Coast and abroad in Ireland.  Always singing and dancing in the kitchen, Crist…
A Layoff Leads To A New Career For New Rochelle Pizza Chef A Layoff Leads To A New Career For New Rochelle Pizza Chef
A Layoff Leads To A New Career For New Rochelle Pizza Chef Growing up in an Italian family, Matt DiGesu always cooked. If he wasn't learning at his grandmother's knee as she artfully prepared homemade pasta, he was stirring, saucing and sautéeing with his mother. That love for food -- and hunger for pleasing people -- helped catapult him to the culinary world. But it took getting laid off from a marketing job to take him there. DiGesu, who was let go when Pepsi bought Naked Juice, wandered into a pizza shop one day for a taste of "home" (he was living in California at the time). 'I needed something to do," he said, "So I offered…