Cops Get Cooking

When they’re not out fighting crime, some police officers can be found braising short ribs and sautéing scallops in the kitchen. A group of 20 officers (representing Old Brookville, Old Westbury, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the New York police departments) showed off their culinary skills at the fourth annual NYIT Cast Iron Chef competition.

“Thanks for doing what you do and for protecting us,” said Robert Rizzuto, director of Dining Services, to the officers competing in the event. They represented the police departments that serve NYIT’s three main New York locations—Old Westbury, Manhattan, and Central Islip.

The competition, modeled after shows like Chopped and Iron Chef, was held September 27 at NYIT de Seversky Mansion. As things got under way, the five teams of four officers were given a basket of unfamiliar ingredients and challenged with creating an appetizer in 20 minutes and an entrée in 30 minutes. They had to use all of the ingredients, including duck breast, pancetta, brussels sprouts, brioche bread, maple syrup, shiitake mushrooms, oranges, pumpkin puree, black truffle burrata, and pizza dough. The teams quickly came up with menus and got cooking.

As competition heated up, more than 300 spectators watched and cheered. Master of Ceremonies Tom Shaudel, a Long Island chef and restaurateur, kept the excitement going and encouraged some friendly competition by asking the crowd who they hoped to see win.

Dishes were judged by Jerry Balentine, Ph.D., vice president for medical affairs and global health; Peter Kinney, NYIT chief of staff and retired U.S. Army infantry colonel; Bill Holden, owner of West End Cafe in Carle Place, N.Y.; and Alexa Galfano, an NYIT student majoring in criminal justice. As the crowd rooted for their favorite team, the judges scored each team, using criteria like execution, timing, creativity, flavor, texture, and presentation. Each team’s creations were impressive, but ultimately Suffolk County earned the trophy.

Even though only one team could come in first place, all of the teams walked away winners. NYIT presented each department with a $2,000 check to a charity of their choice. “Many of us feel we have to do more to invest ourselves in thanking you,” said NYIT Chief Financial Officer Leonard Aubrey to the officers.

The crowd shared his sentiment. And as the evening came to a close, everyone walked away with a smile on their face, and particularly for the judges, a full stomach.

Want to host your own Cast Iron Chef event? Contact 516.686.7675 or deseversky@nyit.edu.