Northeast Pasta Showdown

The search for the best pasta dishes begins and ends at the Northeast Pasta Showdown!

On Sunday, the competition area in the Exhibit Hall will feature contestants preparing their best recipes and presenting them to the judges. A prestigious panel of professional chefs with proficiency in Italian cuisine will judge the entries and name the winners. Participants will have 40 minutes to prepare their dishes, and dishes will be judged on their trueness to the Italian basic tenets of technique, presentation, flavor balance, and taste.

The competition is limited to the first 20 registrations.

Winners will be announced Monday afternoon. The first-place winner receives $1,000 and a trophy; second- and third-place prizes are $500 and $250, respectively.

Competition Schedule

Monday, October 17

8:00-9:00 AM – Competitors & Judges Meeting
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Pasta Competition
4:00-5:00 PM – Awards Presentation

2019 Pasta Showdown Winners

First Place 
John Lombardi
King Umberto’s
Elmont, NY

Second Place
Terry Thompson
House of Hops 
Kingman, AZ

Third Place
Luigi Speranza
Sola Hospitalty 
New York, NY

2018 Pasta Showdown Winners

First Place 
Salvatore Passalacqua
Nino’s Cucina Italiano
Greenville, NC

Second Place
John Lombardi

Third Place
Matt Hutchinson
Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana
Houston, TX