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Cooking

This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies
This Trendy Treat Is Rolling Into Spotlight As Sweet Complement To Christmas Cookies Move over gingerbread and sugar cookies — sesame balls are quietly making their way onto holiday dessert tables this year.  Traditionally found in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines, these golden, chewy orbs are earning a buzzworthy reputation as a standout complement to classic Christmas sweets. Known as Jian Dui in Chinese cuisine and Bánh Cam in Vietnamese culture, sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour, stuffed with sweet fillings like red bean or lotus paste, and fried to perfection.  The result? A crispy exterior coated in toasted sesame seeds, with a sa…
NJ Chef's Beloved Family Dishes Win On Buddy Valastro's New Holiday Cooking Show NJ Chef's Beloved Family Dishes Win On Buddy Valastro's New Holiday Cooking Show
NJ Chef's Beloved Family Dishes Win On Buddy Valastro's New Holiday Cooking Show An East Brunswick chef will bring a cooking award home for the holidays after appearing in a new culinary competition series. Maricel Gentile was named a holiday champion on "Buddy's Holiday Recipe Rumble", a competitive cooking show hosted by Hoboken native Buddy Valastro, who's also known as the "Cake Boss." The series started streaming on Hulu on Friday, Dec. 6. Gentile is the owner of a culinary school called Maricel’s Kitchen. The cooking studio on Main Street specializes in Filipino dishes and other Asian cuisines. Gentile, her husband Paul, and their youngest son Paul…
Clifton Pizza Icon Jerry Scotto D'Abbusco Dies, 91: 'Walked The Pipeline For Best Pizza Around' Clifton Pizza Icon Jerry Scotto D'Abbusco Dies, 91: 'Walked The Pipeline For Best Pizza Around'
Clifton Pizza Icon Jerry Scotto D'Abbusco Dies, 91: 'Walked The Pipeline For Best Pizza Around' A Passaic County community is mourning the loss of the man behind one of the area's most popular pizzerias. Gerardo “Jerry” Scotto D’Abbusco, who owned and operated Scotto’s Pizzeria in Clifton for 46 years, died on Thursday, Nov. 29. He was 91 years old. Born in Monte di Procida, Italy, Jerry served in the Italian Navy and worked as a Merchant Marine before immigrating to America through Ellis Island, his obituary on the Shook Funeral Home website says.  In opening Scotto's, Jerry created a beloved community hub, which closed upon his retirement in 2016. Scotto's announced Jerry's d…
Meet Al Roker In North Jersey Meet Al Roker In North Jersey
Meet Al Roker In North Jersey If you live in Bergen County, Al Roker will be appearing in your neck of the woods. The weatherman for “The Today Show” will be signing copies of his new cookbook “Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By,” along with his daughter, co-author Courtney Roker Laga at Books and Greetings in Northvale on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker) The book features 100 recipes straight from the Roker household, including sunrise burritos, shrimp and grits with bell Peppers and bacon, smothered chicken, coffee-…
Mugshot Released, Services Set For Popular Cook After Deadly Bergen County Hit-Run Mugshot Released, Services Set For Popular Cook After Deadly Bergen County Hit-Run
Mugshot Released, Services Set For Popular Cook After Deadly Bergen County Hit-Run The mugshot of the 29-year-old Kearny charged in the deadly hit-and-run that killed a cook at a popular Route 17 restaurant last week in Lyndhurst has been released. Steven G. Novillo-Cabrera was behind the wheel of a 2020 Honda Civic when he struck George Arnold, 57, as he was trying to cross Ridge Road at Milton Avenue around 9:50 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Novillo-Cabrera also tried to repair the vehicle to hide his involvement in the crash, police said. He was lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending an appearance in Bergen County Superior C…
Bergen County Hairdresser Danielle Hickman Dies Suddenly, 38, Survived By 10-Year-Old Daughter Bergen County Hairdresser Danielle Hickman Dies Suddenly, 38, Survived By 10-Year-Old Daughter
Bergen County Hairdresser Danielle Hickman Dies Suddenly, 38, Survived By 10-Year-Old Daughter Support is on the rise for the daughter of a Bergen County mother who died unexpectedly this month. Danielle Hickman, of Park Ridge, died suddenly on Sunday, Sept. 22, her obituary on the Becker Funeral Home website says. She was 38 years old. Danielle attended Park Ridge High School, Bergen Community College and Parisian Beauty Academy, her obituary says. The proud owner of Trend Setters II on Washington Avenue in Dumont, Danielle was passionate about her business and enjoyed long walks and cooking her obituary continues. Those who survive her include her 10-year-old daughter Ca…
Meet Tamron Hall In Bergen County Meet Tamron Hall In Bergen County
Meet Tamron Hall In Bergen County Tamron Hall, the Emmy-award winning talk show host, wants you to have fun in the kitchen. The former “Today Show” anchor and host of “The Tamron Hall Show” is signing copies of her new cookbook “A Confident Cook: Recipes for Joyous, No-Pressure Fun in the Kitchen Hardcover” on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Bookends in Ridgewood at 4 p.m. The book is a collaboration between Hall and her good friend, chef Lish Steiling. The two met while working at the “Today Show” The cookbook aims to teach aspiring chefs how to select the tools you need, how to stock your pantry, and how to cook for one, two, or …
Popular New York Bodega Sandwich Hottest Item Sold By New Teaneck Food Truck Popular New York Bodega Sandwich Hottest Item Sold By New Teaneck Food Truck
Popular New York Bodega Sandwich Hottest Item Sold By New Teaneck Food Truck A chopped cheese is nothing new for Haze Perez Segura. The 43-year-old Teaneck resident grew up eating them every time he went into Washington Heights to visit friends and family. "It's like a burger, but chopped like a Philly cheese steak with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and ketchup," said Segura, who was raised in Englewood. "It's served on a toasted hero." The chopped cheese is a staple in bodegas and delis across New York City. It's also one of the most popular items on Segura's food truck, Chick-Teaz, which he rolled out this month at Votee Park in Teaneck, he sai…
Drummer Turned American Dream Mall Executive Chef Competing On 'Chopped' This Week Drummer Turned American Dream Mall Executive Chef Competing On 'Chopped' This Week
Drummer Turned American Dream Mall Executive Chef Competing On 'Chopped' This Week John Thomas doesn't have any stories about cooking with his nonna. He doesn't have a degree from any fancy culinary school, and his childhood dream was never to become a professional cook. And yet, the 35-year-old Clifton dad landed himself a pretty sweet gig as the executive chef of Gameroom Eats at the American Dream Mall. This week, he'll be going up against some of the best chefs in the region on Food Network's "Chopped" cooking competition, for a chance to win $10,000. Thomas' episode, called "Celtuce Setbacks," airs Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. John Tashiro "Cooking was never my fi…
Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor
Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor A 28-year-old Paterson man who had been jailed on weapons offenses has been charged in the overdose death of a 26-year-old Bergen County man in 2023, authorities said. Vashawn A. Davis sold Tyler Kallensee, of Oradell, the fentanyl that killed him on Sunday, July 23, 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Kallensee was found by officers responding to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unresponsive man in a private home. Kallensee was pronounced dead at the scene, and indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, Musella said. Thus began a year-long investiga…
Teaneck Dad Brings Authentic Kosher Mexican Food To Bergen County Teaneck Dad Brings Authentic Kosher Mexican Food To Bergen County
Teaneck Dad Brings Authentic Kosher Mexican Food To Bergen County Elmer Jimenez spent years working in kosher catering after immigrating from Oaxaca, Mexico to Teaneck in 2007.  What the dad of five noticed was that the Jewish community had plenty of kosher food options from around the world. What he couldn't find, though, was kosher Mexican food. So, 34-year-old Jimenez opened a spot of his own: Blue Star Cafe in Hackensack, a kosher Mexican restaurant under the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County. "The Jewish community will eat anything, like Italian or Indian," said Jimenez. "But they don't have kosher Mexican here and the challenge for me …
NJ Navy Vet Who Received Pig Kidney Transplant, Heart Pump Dies After 47 Days NJ Navy Vet Who Received Pig Kidney Transplant, Heart Pump Dies After 47 Days
NJ Navy Vet Who Received Pig Kidney Transplant, Heart Pump Dies After 47 Days Lisa Pisano, the 54-year-old New Jersey resident and second-ever recipient of a pig kidney and mechanical heart, has died. Pisano received the heart pump on April 4, and eight days later, got the pig's kidney. She lived with it for 47 days, as reported by the New York Times, before her death on Sunday, July 7. Lisa Pisano. NYU Langone Health A U.S. Navy veteran and doting grandmother, Pisano was born in Lakewood but lived in Ocean Gate and Bayville, according to her obituary on the Mastapeter Memorial Home website. Her obituary remembered her as a "hero to the medical communit…
Twin Rutgers Grads, 23, Killed In Crash Were Each Other's Closest Friends, Obituaries Say Twin Rutgers Grads, 23, Killed In Crash Were Each Other's Closest Friends, Obituaries Say
Twin Rutgers Grads, 23, Killed In Crash Were Each Other's Closest Friends, Obituaries Say Services have been finalized for a pair of 23-year-old twin brothers killed in a Vineland crash. John and Patrick Mahoney, both of Washington Township, died in a collision on Tuesday, June 4 at Union and Mays Landing Roads, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  Police said John was driving a Toyota Yaris when he failed to yield to a Ford F-250 operated by an 81-year-old, which caused the crash. The Yaris driver was hospitalized as a precaution. Obituaries on the Egizi Funeral Home website for John and Patrick remember the two as being each other's closest friends and greatest advoca…
Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass
Jersey City Police Lieutenant's Cremation To Follow Saturday Funeral Mass She devoted her life to those in need and put others first. She was "the glue that held her family and friends together." And at only 44 years old, Jersey City Police Lt. Marina Angelica Ugolini is gone far too soon. Ugolini died Tuesday evening, May 28. The 19-year department veteran, who was promoted to lieutenant six years ago this month, worked in the city's North District. Ugolini was an alumnus of Jersey City Medical Center and Ambucar EMS who "took pride in helping people by devoting her life to serving those in need," her obituary says. "She transported the first medical …
Meet Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence In North Jersey Meet Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence In North Jersey
Meet Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence In North Jersey Tyler Florence is ready to help you become a grill master. The celebrity chef and host of numerous Food Network shows will be signing copies of his new book "American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire" at Bookends in Ridgewood on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. In the cookbook, the host of "Tyler's Ultimate" shows off his love of American comfort food and teaches aspiring cooks how to char, caramelize and marinate to perfection, according to a synopsis. The cookbook tells people how to make the perfect steak, grill vegetables, fruit and fish, according to a synopsis.  The cookboo…
ICU Nurse From Bergen County Dishes On 'Next Level Chef' ICU Nurse From Bergen County Dishes On 'Next Level Chef'
ICU Nurse From Bergen County Dishes On 'Next Level Chef' With just two weeks notice, Christina Miros, a Bergen County native, found herself getting ready to fly to Ireland to compete on the new season of  "Next Level Chef." Miros, a Dumont native who lives in River Vale, is a contestant on the third season on the FOX cooking show hosted by Gordon Ramsey. And when she's not serving up culinary delights in the kitchen she works as a nurse in the intensive care unit. On "Next Level Chefs", Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais mentor the chefs as they face "unique" challenges on three different kitchen levels — literally. Contestants…
NJ Police Detective Competes On FOX Cooking Show 'Next Level Chef' NJ Police Detective Competes On FOX Cooking Show 'Next Level Chef'
NJ Police Detective Competes On FOX Cooking Show 'Next Level Chef' A New Jersey police detective is putting her cooking skills to the test. Alexandra Donnadio, a Hillsborough native who works for in ballistics for the Essex County Sheriff's Department, is a home chef competing on the hit FOX cooking competition "Next Level Chef." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexandra Donnadio (@cookingwithzandge_s) The 24 contestants are split up into three different groups, comprised of eight chefs each: Home chefs, professional chefs, and social media chefs.  Meanwhile, Celebrity chefs Gordon Ra…
Bergen County Mom Turns Passion Into Purpose With Persian Restaurant Bergen County Mom Turns Passion Into Purpose With Persian Restaurant
Bergen County Mom Turns Passion Into Purpose With Persian Restaurant Cooking has already given Bergen County's Shahin Rezaei so much. It gave her something to do when her she moved to the U.S. with her husband, Daryush Saadati, from Sweden 26 years ago. She didn't have a car and she didn't have anything to do when Saadati went to work, and so Rezaei passed the time by perfecting her recipes. Cooking gave Rezaei friends: She met so many people through the catering business she opened seven years ago, when the family's furniture store closed. But most of all, cooking has given Rezaei purpose. "Because of all of this, I know who I am," said Rezaei, more …
Jaret DeSande Of Woodcliff Lake Dies, 40 Jaret DeSande Of Woodcliff Lake Dies, 40
Jaret DeSande Of Woodcliff Lake Dies, 40 Jaret DeSande, a 40-year-old Woodcliff Lake resident, died on Friday, Sept. 29, according to his obituary. A passionate chef, DeSande graduated from the French Culinary Institute after growing up in Rockland County, his obituary reads.  He is survived by his son, Logan, his mother Adele, his brother Jason, and numerous other relatives and friends, according to his obituary. Life is so bittersweet sometimes. I always savor each moment i spend with each person that has ever graced me with their... Posted by Gee Dubz on Saturday, September 30, 2023 A funeral was held on Friday, Oct. 6 at …
Meet 'Saved By The Bell's' Tiffani Thiessen In North Jersey Meet 'Saved By The Bell's' Tiffani Thiessen In North Jersey
Meet 'Saved By The Bell's' Tiffani Thiessen In North Jersey Kelly Kapowski is visiting Bergen County all the way from Bayside High School. Tiffani Thiessen, who played the popular cheerleader and later wife of Zack Morris on "Saved by the Bell" will be signing copies of her new book "Here We Go Again" at Bookends in Ridgewood on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. In "Here We Go Again," Thiessen, who has found a second career as a foodie, offers up her best recipes for making leftovers taste like new, according to a synopsis. Thiessen tells people how to take food destined for the trash and turn it into tonight's dinner, according to a synopsis.  This is…
North Jersey Chef Stars On New Cooking Competition Show North Jersey Chef Stars On New Cooking Competition Show
North Jersey Chef Stars On New Cooking Competition Show Poonam Ribadia, a Bergen County native, has been wowing foodies on Instagram. Now everyone will soon get to see what she brings to the kitchen. Ribadia is one of the contestants on the new Hulu cooking competition show "Secret Chef" which premieres on Thursday, June 29. On "Secret Chef," 10 contestants are isolated in a secret kitchen. Guided by a mischievous talking hat, the chefs are tasked to perform a series of cooking challenges. The contestants also serve as judges, rating each other's dishes in blind taste tests. The winner receives $100,000. The Northvale chef said she was discovere…
Steak And Eggs Saved His Life: Recovering NJ Addict Represents Northeast On 'MasterChef' Steak And Eggs Saved His Life: Recovering NJ Addict Represents Northeast On 'MasterChef'
Steak And Eggs Saved His Life: Recovering NJ Addict Represents Northeast On 'MasterChef' The first thing Ryan Walker did after getting sober was lose 50 pounds. How'd he do it? Steak and eggs, the Millstone Township resident says. Well, the Keto Diet and other forms of healthy eating. And ironically enough, the 33-year-old home chef's signature breakfast dish wowed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, earning him a spot representing the Northeast on "MasterChef: United Tastes of America." Walker will appear alongside another New Jersey chef, Purvi Dogra, as the show progresses.  The next episode will air Wednesday, June 21 at 8 p.m. on FOX. This season is a regional competition tha…
MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition
MasterChef From NJ Brings Indian Flavors To Star-Studded Cooking Competition A New Jersey chef from India is representing the Northeast while showcasing her international dessert skills in "MasterChef 13: United Tastes of America." Described as a “home cook who prides herself on American-Indian fusion,” Purvi Dogra, 48, moved to East Windsor from India 21 years ago.  Season 13 of the cooking show, which premiered on Wednesday, May 24, breaks down the 20 apron-earning competitors into categories based on one of four territories — West, Northeast, Midwest, and South.  The games officially begin for the 20 competitors on Wednesday, June 21. The winner gets rewarded w…
Meet Popular TikToker Danny Loves Pasta In Ridgewood Meet Popular TikToker Danny Loves Pasta In Ridgewood
Meet Popular TikToker Danny Loves Pasta In Ridgewood You've seen his TikToks. You've tried his pasta creations.  Now you can meet Danny Loves Pasta in person in Bergen County. @dannylovespasta I make the recipe from scratch in the book, but the easiest way is to heat up a jar of marinara sauce, add in half a cup of cream, and then dump in the cooked pasta. Then mix in a big handful of Parmesan and Mozzarella! ♬ original sound - Danny Loves Pasta Danny Freeman will be signing copies of his new book "Danny Loves Pasta" at Bookends in Ridgewood on Tuesday, June 27 at 6 p.m.  Freeman has more than 1.4 million followers on his Danny Lo…
Siblings Open Bergen County Eatery Siblings Open Bergen County Eatery
Siblings Open Bergen County Eatery No sibling rivalry here: A brother and sister duo each with extensive culinary backgrounds have opened a restaurant together in Bergen County. Monique and James Rugile held the grand opening of Rugile's Kitchen in Haworth on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Photos of the Rugiles in Rugile's Kitchen.Cecilia Levine Walk inside the 147 Terrace St. restaurant and you'll see pictures of the siblings at various stages of life on the walls. You'll see James peeling potatoes and Monique at an outdoor market.  The siblings' passion for cooking began at an early age, growing up in Colorado. They both went on t…
TikTok Chef From NJ To Compete On Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show TikTok Chef From NJ To Compete On Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show
TikTok Chef From NJ To Compete On Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show After the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Feb. 12, audiences can stay tuned to root for someone else with Philadelphia ties. Cassie Yeung is a chef and TikTok influencer who will appear alongside Gordon Ramsay on FOX's "Next Level Chef." The competition series puts culinary pros head-to-head to test their skills under the leadership of TV's most recognizable celebrity chefs — including the famously prickly Ramsay.  "He's intimidating by nature but honestly so supportive," Cassie tells Daily Voice. During filming, Cassie was chosen to compete…
Bergen County Chef Gets Sweet Surprise While Filming Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show Bergen County Chef Gets Sweet Surprise While Filming Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show
Bergen County Chef Gets Sweet Surprise While Filming Gordon Ramsay Cooking Show Bergen County's Michelle Calcagni and her husband Anthony had been trying to get pregnant for about a year without luck. After months of high hopes and letdowns for the Washington Township couple, they decided to stop trying, and just relax.  But when 31-year-old Calcagni was abroad last September and one week into filming Gordon Ramsay cooking show "Next Level Chef," she noticed she was especially emotional, and her menstrual cycle was late. Calcagni, an Oradell native, took two pregnancy tests. They were both positive. "I was stunned," said Calcagni, who is competing in the Home Chef c…
These NJ Chefs Are James Beard Award Semifinalists These NJ Chefs Are James Beard Award Semifinalists
These NJ Chefs Are James Beard Award Semifinalists The semifinalists for the Restaurant and Chef James Beard Awards have officially been announced — and three of them can be found right here in the Garden State. First awarded in 1991, the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards comprise 23 culinary categories. One New Jersey chef was recognized in the ‘Outstanding Chef’ category, while two others were recognized in the ‘Best Chef’ for the entire mid-Atlantic category of DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, and VA. Scroll down to view the New Jersey semifinalists: Outstanding Chef Shigeru Fukuyoshi, Sagami, Collingswood, NJ  Owner of the BYOB …
Carrington DaCosta Reynolds, Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Freshman, Dies At 15 Carrington DaCosta Reynolds, Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Freshman, Dies At 15
Carrington DaCosta Reynolds, Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Freshman, Dies At 15 Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School freshman Carrington DaCosta Reynolds died on Wednesday, Jan. 4 aged 15. Born in Livingston, Carrington was described as a “miracle baby” and was recognized as gifted by Rutgers University at just 15 months, his obituary says. Carrington was also honored as a “S.O.A.R.” (Student Soaring Outside of Park) for serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the homeless at the Ocean Avenue Baptist Church in Jersey City. Carrington was an aspiring music production company owner and “natural entrepreneur who knew how to negotiate,” his memorial says. He was also a youth us…
Viral Bergen County TikToker Drops Cookbook Viral Bergen County TikToker Drops Cookbook
Viral Bergen County TikToker Drops Cookbook A Bergen County TikToker with more than 1.3 million followers has announced the release of her cookbook. Tara Ippolito-Lafontant, who you may know as Al Dente Diva, has long created simple yet delicious recipes — which helped land her a spot on Netflix's new cooking competition "Easy Bake Battle." You can watch her on Episode 3. The Norwood resident was inspired to compile her cookbook "Fast. Simple Delicious," after realizing that others seemed to over-complicate recipes, she said. The ingredients weren’t things she'd typically have on hand and the instructions were long and tedious.  …
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities
Probe Continuing Into Death Of Beloved Hawthorne Widow Struck While Walking Dog: Authorities Nearly two weeks after a popular 67-year-old Hawthorne widow was struck and killed by an out-of-control vehicle while walking her dog, authorities suddenly announced that they were continuing an investigation into her death. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Hawthorne Police Chief James Knepper didn’t explain why they're now officially acknowledging -- while providing some details of -- the Sept. 24 death of Bonnie Siebert in a joint release issued on Thursday, Oct. 6. A Glen Rock native, Siebert had lost her husband of 32 years, Robert “Bob” Siebert, just this past January.&n…