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Gravy Wars: Lodi Lip challenges Philly Femme Fatale

Bragging rights in sports is one thing. But when it comes to making the best gravy (y’know: sauce) it’s going to be combattere fino alla morte this Saturday for celebrity chef Lorraine “Gravy Wars” Ranalli and our very own “Johnny Boy” DeCarlo in Philadelphia.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot


The two will not only settle their 2009 World Series bet: They’ll also have a fight to the finish at Cannuli Bros in the South Street Italian Market to see who can make il sugo migliore.


If you’re going: The gravy war begins at high noon in the courtyard next to DiBruno’s. Look for the painting of Frank Rizzo (Trust me: I wouldn’t kid about that). After that, the crew heads down 9th so Lorraine can buy our guy a cheesesteak to pay up on the Phils’ loss to the Bronx Bombers — managed, by the way, by Italian-American Giuseppe Girardi.


Early action has the pair even.

The Italian-American War

Lorraine Ranalli’s certainly got the juice, branding herself nationwide as more than just another faccia bella.

Slick, street smart and, si, quite saucy himself, Johnny DeCarlo operates Bonnie and Clyde’s catering out of Lodi with his girlfriend, Megin.

He’s also increased his public profile dramatically since becoming a regular columnist for CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

Italian-Americans are extremely competitive when it comes to cooking, particularly in preparing gravy. Whether it’s Paul Sorvino’s “Goodfellas slice” of the garlic with a razor, getting it so thin it melts in the pan, or the argument over whether you should drop the meatballs in before or after the sauce is hot, everyone has their own style.

The irony of this contest is that neither Lorraine nor Johnny knows of a sauce that would make theirs seems like tomato soup:

Mine!

Y’think I’m kiddin’? We’ll throw a pasta party this winter — let’s say on the weekend after the Giants have been officially eliminated — so you can sample the master’s work. We’ll get the “Italian Chicks” to be the judges. Maybe Bill Ervolino will agree to be master of ceremonies. We could even send invites to Danny Aiello and Vin Curatola.

Then you will learn la pura verita!

(P.S. Before you go this Saturday, take a look at the smack talk between Lorraine and Johnny over The Series. It’s a riot. We’ll also have more leading up to the big day, including a special contest.)

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