Parking was recently at a prime at the Zolezzi Auto Body Shop on Willis Avenue as Chamber of Commerce of the Willistons members scrambled for a parking spot. This was the event of all events – the meat ball cook-off. Who’s meatballs are the best !
It all started at the end of January this year when Mamadelle Grace Sirigusa of National Carpet made her most disgustingly delicious meatballs for a chamber networking event at their new location on Willis Avenue just a few inches over the Williston Park border in Albertson, also known as North Williston.
She made meatballs for all the guests along with an assortment of Italian delicacies for all to enjoy. The one item that stood out among the rest were her Italian style meatballs. They are just out of this world – compared to none. Well since these meatballs were such a hit, many members made mention that their meatballs would stand up to Gracie’s and are just as good. I don’t think – so the competition began. Put your balls where your mouth is” as the saying goes…. and let the competition begin.
So, at the chamber networking at Zolezzi’s, the chamber sponsored the first meatball competition awarding cash prizes and a medal for first, second and third places. There were 10 people who entered meatballs in the competition to compete for the “gold” and bragging rights for the best balls in Williston Park, meatballs that is!
So members feasted on meatballs of all sizes, shapes, textures, smells, Italian style, Swedish Style, Hawaiian Style etc., and voted at the end of the meatball tasting. There were between 80 to 90 members in attendance, one of the most attended chamber networking events in its history.
During the evening, cold libations were provided by Joe, Joey and Nancy Zolezzi. Our host and hostess greeted all the members and made sure they welcomed and introduced to other members.
Yours truly, Raymond Haller of Haller-Zaremba Insurance Agency cooked fresh lobsters and corn.
Members enjoyed sitting at the seafood table, lobster bibs and all, with hammers in hand breaking into the fresh claws for that sweet meat of the sea while dipping into the freshly melted butter as it passed the lips and was savored in the mouth Yum !
In the next garage bay at Zolezzi’s, there was the “Man of Marinates,” John Marsala of State Farm Insurance on Hillside Avenue. John is the Grille Master of meat and chicken. John was barbecuing marinated steak and chicken breasts. The smells wafting around his grille was simply intoxicating while salivating mouths were waiting for him to dish it out. The Master has proved again the art and skill of a perfect barbecue.
A very special thank you to Joe Polansky of the Williston Park Delicatessen for providing numerous styles of potato salads, macaroni salads, cole slaws to die for, tomato salad, string bean salad, and many more cold salads that were just out of this world.
A special thanks to Joseph Lester formerly of the Ivy Cottage and now the Farm House Kitchen located in Rockville Centre for his famous, crispy fried chicken. Every piece was finger lickin good Can I say that? But it really was!
A special Thank you to Debbie of Yogurt and Such for providing many desserts and ice cream and yogurt cakes for dessert. Simply magnificent!
A very special thank you to all the Meatball entrees: they were: Pat Hayes of EVO, Christy LaVelle of Coach Realtors, Grace “The Meatball Mama” Sirigusa of National Carpet, Adele Valenzuela of AVM Demars Accountants, Gino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Joe Polansky of the Williston Park Deli, Frank of Frankie’s Brooklyn Pizza, Rialto Restaurant, Plum Tomato, and Louise Schwartzchild.
The first place winner of the best meatball, Gold medal and $100 winner is still Grace Sirigusa of National Carpet.
She is truly the Mamadelle of Meatballs ! The second place winner, silver medal and $100 winner is Christy LaVelle of Coach Realtors. The third place winner and bronze medal and $100 is Adele Valenzuela of AVM Demars Accountants.
The cash prizes were donated by: Zaree Voskerijian of Intelligent Data Systems, Raymond Haller of Haller-Zaremba Insurance Agency, The Chamber of Commerce of the Williston’s, and Joe and Nancy Zolezzi of Zolezzi’s Auto Body & Repair.
There were people coming and going all evening, after all, this was the extravaganza of the month. The Chamber meets at these affairs to promote the Chamber in Williston Park, promote each other and enjoy the camaraderie of business people as well as our residents.
In attendance, were the following:
Louise Schwartzchild, Mike from AXA, the Zolezzi family, Joe, Nancy, Maria Zolezzi Avellan and Joey., John and Maureen Marsala of State Farm, Maureen Corrigan, Lois Hanson of Coach Realtors, Manny and Rose Lopez, Jerry Baldasarro, Jimmy and Jane Cashin, Ray and Lisa Haller, Joe Polansky of the Williston Park Deli, Pat and Mary Hayes, Karen & Bill Wiley from Word Power Unlimited, Larry and Patti Kane, Angela Williams, Adele Valenzuela, Cuqui Arken, Mary Reardon, Jeanne Holland, Evelyn Atanas, Dr. Morris and Cheryl Chimon, Rocco Iannarelli, Grace and John Sirigusa, Mother Christina Van lieu, James Daw, Esq., Kevin Zaremba, Tony Coscia from T-Bash, Joe from Frankie’s Brooklyn Pizza, Bill from Plum Tomato, Jane Greenstein, Val McGarry, Frank Oliveri, Maribel, Doc John Geager, Somek H., Mike Adages, D. Shipiro, Orlando Accounting, Alex from Computer Troubleshooters, Steve Blank, Rich Tedesco and Barry all from Blank Slate Media AKA: The Williston Times, Marie and Al Greico, Sal Asaro from Nassau Window and Doors, Debbie from Yogurt and Such, Lucille & Paul Walters, Bobby Shannon from Reality Roofing, and Maura Clancy from Clancy Brokerage in Garden City. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa if I forgot anyone…which I’m sure I did…Thank you everyone who attended…and supported the Chamber of Commerce of the Willistons. Remember…Shop local…buy it here.
