In honor of Columbus Day, The Italian Tribune Newspaper brought together New Jersey’s Italian American community at Birchwood Manor in Whippany, owned by the Marino family. During the annual Gala, Publisher Buddy Fortunato honored several personalities who have distinguished themselves for their commitment to promoting Italian American culture over the past year. “This is the annual reaffirmation of our commitment inspired by Christopher Columbus’ towards achievement despite adversities. Forgetting Columbus Day is forgetting our heritage,” Fortunato said introducing the event.
Grand celebrations with live music, napkins waving in the air, and tricolor flags at each table for the eight awardees: Nicholas Cozzarelli, a young orthopedic surgeon at Hackensack Meridian Hospital in Edison; brothers Ciro and Paolo Salvia, owners of the Conca D’Oro company, which imports and Italian products sought after throughout the United States; William Albanian, Treasurer of the Mechanical Contractors Industry Fund and Chairman of the National Mechanical Contractors Associations Legislative and Political Action Committee; Michael Savignano, Owner of Andrea’s Food producing gourmet pasta products; Gloria LaGrassa, philanthropist and Owner of Pluckemin Inn; Gary Bootes; and Brian Kilmeade, political commentator for Fox News.
The gardens with large fountains and manicured hedges were closed to guests, who stayed inside the two large rooms set up for the occasion. In the Manor, counters with cheeses, cured meats, and pickled vegetables had been set up on the sides, and in the center were two long tables from which diners could help themselves to typical Italian-American dishes, such as stuffed eggplant rollatini, baked pasta, caprese with balsamic vinegar, and fried cuttlefish rings.
Starting the official ceremony, all guests gathered in the Jefferson Ballroom sitting at their tables and enjoying the evening’s menu of manicotti with tomato sauce, salmon, or pork tenderloin. To conclude, the classic New York cheesecake.
