I was one of 22 contestants at the Meatball Contest at the Hershey Italian Lodge on Sunday, March 9, and I’m sad to report I did not take home the grand prize for the best tasting meatball.
That honor goes to Joseph Taverna of Camp Hill, who outdid the competition.
However, I can report that I came in second, which is a great consolation for me.
Gary and I were up all night trying to get the meatballs just right, and finally, in the 11th hour, my taste-tester said I had hit it just right.
I even channeled my late uncle Jim, who made the best meatballs I ever had.
He made his meatballs in a tiny row home basement in “The Hill” district of Harrisburg, and, since then, everyone in our family has tried to duplicate his meatballs.
As part of the contest, each contestant served up his or her meatballs to the paying customers, who showed up to try some of the area’s best.
We brought out sheet pans, crock pots and everything but the kitchen sink to keep our meatballs hot until judging time, which was three hours after we served our first meatball to the public.
The contestants decorated their booths with Italian flags, flowers, garland and everything in between.
We had a great time, and by the end of the contest, we had no more meatballs to give, as the public gobbled them all up.
As for the judges, they were served each meatball behind a curtain so they weren’t biased towards the contestants.
We also had the People’s Choice award, where the customers voted on whose meatballs they thought were the best.
It was a neat event, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s contest!
Kudos to the staff of the Italian Lodge. They did a heck of a job organizing the event.
I’m really enjoying the warmer weather, hopefully it lasts.
Also, a very happy 50th anniversary to Mayor Roeting and his wife, Nancy.
Cheers,
Nancy Vallati Garver
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