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It's Getting A Little Saucy: Nyack Pasta Party Benefits Food Pantry

NYACK, N.Y. -- Many are split whether to call it "sauce" or "gravy" but few argue the pureed tomato based pasta topping is irresistible, something organizers of a spaghetti sauce cook-off are counting on.

People to People executive director Diane Serratore and Nyack resident John Patrick Schutz, and entrant, ham it up at past Get Saucy! event. This year's fundraiser will be Thursday, Oct. 6 at Nyack Seaport.

People to People executive director Diane Serratore and Nyack resident John Patrick Schutz, and entrant, ham it up at past Get Saucy! event. This year's fundraiser will be Thursday, Oct. 6 at Nyack Seaport.

Photo Credit: Tina Traster

The debate is part of the banter at a spaghetti cook-off that raises money for People to People, Rockland County's largest food pantry for struggling families.

The annual fundraiser, Get Saucy! is set for Thursday, Oct. 6 at Nyack Seaport. It is expected to attract 150 people and raise $10,000 like it did last year, said Executive Director Diane Serratore.

The public is invited to join local officials, Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato, Village of Nyack Mayor Jen White, Director of Public Affairs, Orange & Rockland Tom Brizzolara, Vice President Institutional Advancement, Dominican College Dorothy Filoramo, and Rockland County Sheriff Lou Falco at this event.

The chefs this year include:

  • Louis Falco III, Rockland County Sheriff (2013 and 2014 Champion) 
  • Debbie Bartolotta, People to People Board Member, last year's Chef's Choice Champion
  • Sabrina HoSang Jordan, People to People, Board Member, Caribbean Food Delights 
  • John Patrick Schutz, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, the 2015 People's Choice Winner 
  • Anthony DelRegno, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty 
  • Jeff McDowell, Long Island University Hudson Graduate Center 
  • Donna Schmidt, Active International

Chefs from area restaurants will judge the competition and include Marcello Russodivito, owner of Marcello’s Restaurant in Suffern; Ula Newman of At Your Service NY Catering; and Jeff Kaufman from Hudson House in Nyack.

And while the festivities are expected to be great fun, the proceeds are going to an important cause.

People to People in Nanuet is open daily to walk-ins at 121 West Nyack Road. They go in the first time for emergency food then make an appointment to register for future visits, Serratore explained.

"We serve about 4,000 county residents monthly. They are families with low and no incomes, seniors and working poor people," Serratore said.

"The event is really fun. It's a big joke between the gravies and the sauces. Seven chefs will be cooking that day and there will be judges to taste."

Along with delicious food--pasta and beverages will be provided by Nyack Seaport--Serratore expects some playful rivalry like in the past.

For more information and to purchase tickets ($65), contact Melissa Swartz at melissa@peopletopeopleinc.org or (845) 623-4900, ext. 202.

Get Saucy! will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Nyack Seaport, 21 Burd St, Nyack, N.Y.

For more information about People to People and the Nanuet food pantry, click here, email here or call (845) 623-4900.

For Daily Voice coverage of last year's Get Saucy! event, click here. 

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