Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) hosted his 5th annual Meatball Cook-Off and Italian American Dinner at the Rockland Sons of Italy Lodge 2176 in Blauvelt, New York on Monday. More than 70 people attended the dinner, which was held prior to the cook-off.

Then, 11 brave chefs entered the cook-off for a chance to earn meatball bragging rights. The esteemed panel of judges who did the taste-testing honors included Senator David Carlucci, Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco, Tappan Zee High School Italian Teacher Patricia Castelli, Former President of the Lodge Greg DeCola, previous cook-off winner Rosalie Siciliano, Sandie Guzzino, Joann Alfonso, and Cathy Lloyd.