Taste of new pizza: Great
Easter Recipe
The judges' picnic table at the Taste of Niagara at Outwater Park was filled with food Saturday evening, except for one item.
There were no seconds of Papa Leo's new Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza.
'That would be the one that's gone,' said Petty Officer David Vendetti of Niagara Falls who was dressed in his dress white uniform. 'Papa Leo's Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza is the best so far.'
There were five judges and the Cordon Bleu Pizza got unanimous approval. The topping was made with a blend of three cheeses: Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella; ham, ranch dressing and chicken.
'Everybody is trying something different these days. Everyone wants a specialty pizza and it feeds the family,' said chef Gary Chapman who created it for the Taste of Niagara.
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Sharon Livermore, who describe herself as an innocent bystander from Gasport, said, 'That Chicken Cordon Bleu from Pappa Leo's is indescribable.'
It was also the choice of Melissa Junke, Lockport's executive director of department of youth and recreation. The Cordon Bleu Pizza and Mrs. Ribs were her favorites.
'I like being a judge,' she said. 'I don't know if I'll like it in about a half an hour. Right now I'm having a great time.'
The Cordon Bleu Pizza earned the best specialty pizza award, organizer Richard Hoose announced. Papa Leo's also won for its side dish, corn nuggets.
The Apple Orchard Inn won three blue ribbons and Mark's Pizzeria took two food prizes and won best booth display. Garlock's prime rib and Mrs. Ribs barbecue ribs won again.
'I don't come in here to win awards, I just love what I do,' said Sarah Person, AKA Mrs. Ribs. 'It's a third generation secret sauce. It was my mother's mother's recipe.'
Mrs. Ribs won the award in 2005 and 2006, the Taste of Lockport and the Culinary Art award in Lewiston. Person is helped in the mobile kitchen by her children who she has given special names.
They are Eula 'Baby Ribs,' Geraldine 'Collard Greens' and Tony 'Baked Beans.' Her daughter's fianc', Collins, might be called 'Mac & Cheese' in August. Collard Greens wants to be the next Mrs. Ribs.
'I play around a lot. I name all the kids after the food,' said Mrs. Ribs, who has been in business seven years. However, officers at the Fairgrounds named her son, Fred, 'Cornbread.'
The restaurant on wheels will be in Lewiston next weekend.
The Committee' Choice and the People Choice, which is based on volume, will be announced today.
Business picked up in the evening after temperatures reaching 90 degrees may have kept crowds down during the day.
'We want to make it good for everyone involved, for the restaurants and to get the expenses paid so we can have money to donate charity,' Hoose said. 'Last year we were in the hole 800 bucks. That came out of my pocket.'
Garlock's and Mrs. Ribs ran out of everything. Phil and Beth Banks of Appleton worked at the Winery of Marjim Manor on East Lake Road for Margot Bittner. Three tastes of wine cost two tickets.
'There's some enthusiasm about the fruit wines,' Phil Banks said. 'Those that are trying the wines seem to be enjoying them. This is a new experience for them.'
'It' a nice little affair,' said John DiCarlo who was visiting from Fort Myers brother. 'They should continue.'
Mildred Klimek in Appleton offered, 'I think it's wonderful that Lockport does something like this.'
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