 March 28, 2001
By MAURA GRUNLUND Lemon chicken brought the sweet taste of victory to Goodfella's Brick Oven Pizza at the Pizza Expo 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Potatoes with lemon chicken pizza created by head chef Salvatore Russo of Goodfella's garnered first prize last Thursday in the Pizza Festiva IX. The winning pizza will go on the menu at Goodfella's locations in Dongan Hills, Castleton Corners, Eltingville and Rossville. "Our employees work hard, and it's nice to be acknowledged once in a while," said E. Jay Myers, who owns Goodfella's with brothers-in-law Scot and Marc Cosentino. "To be considered the best pizza in the country in a national pizza contest, we're very proud of that." Goodfella's has won a number of similar regional contests in the past as well as the national event. Sponsored by Pizza Today magazine and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the ninth annual Pizza Festiva contest attracted more than 120 entries. About 6,000 people involved in all facets of the pizza industry attended the conference. Nicknamed "The Sally Pie" in honor of Russo, the pizza is topped with russet potatoes cut paper thin and sauted in olive oil and fresh rosemary. Grilled lemon garlic chicken, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and a sauce made with sharp cheddar cheese, heavy cream, shallots and scallions round out the ingredients' list. Russo, who has been a pizza maker for 35 years, draws inspiration from the foods he enjoyed when he was growing up in an Italian family. Potatoes with lemon chicken pizza was born of a dish served regularly at Russo family holiday gatherings, he said. "Making this pizza reminds me of the holidays," Russo said. "When I smell the rosemary potatoes and lemon garlic chicken, it brings back great memories growing up and will do the same for others when they sample this pizza." "This was nice for Sal; it's the first time he has ever won anything in his life," Myers said. "He was the most watched demo, he had this huge following. "He's a real New Yorker. Everyone was watching and clapping." |
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