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.
Winner Prize
Winners will be announced Monday afternoon.
1st place winner receives $1,000 and a trophy
2nd & 3rd place winners receive $500 and $250
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

Pasta Showdown Winners
2022
1st Place
- Daniel Saccone – Saccone’s Pizza & Subs in Leander, Texas
2nd Place
- Gerry Buontempo – Frank’s Pizza & Pasta in Baltimore, Maryland
3rd Place
- Carlos Camargo Martinez – Fusaro Pizza in Manahawkin, New Jersey
2019
1st Place
- John Lombardi – King Umberto’s in Elmont, NY
2nd Place
- Terry Thompson – House of Hops in Kingman, AZ
3rd Place
- Luigi Speranza – Sola Hospitalty in New York, NY
2018
1st Place
- Salvatore Passalacqua – Nino’s Cucina Italiano in Greenville, NC
2nd Place
- John Lombardi – King Umberto’s in Elmont, NY
3rd Place
- Matt Hutchinson – Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana in Houston, TX