Yesterday, my good friend Chef Sergio and I visited Brooklyn with our producer from Long Shot Productions for a day of eating and filming.

We all met up with Tony Muia who runs “A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour” and were treated to a behind-the-scenes cugine VIP treatment, visiting Grimaldi’s and L&B Spumoni Gardens. All the footage we took will be used in the pilot webisode of our new online food & travel series, “Cooking Cugines.” Stay tuned!!!

From our facebook fan page…

Chef Sergio and Johnny Meatballs are the Cooking Cugines! In this new web series, they will explore Italian-American food from Goomba to gourmet, while always staying true to their New Jersey roots!

A Cugine is a term of endearment amongst Italian-Americans, literally meaning “cousin,” but you do not have to be related by blood to be one since all paisans have roots from the boot! Cooking Cugines will be different than any other program seen on Food Network, Cooking Channel or Travel Channel in that it will star two Italian-American food dudes, hanging out and sharing adventures – in the kitchen and on the road. The guys will be cooking, eating, and always staying true to their New Jersey roots. Italian-American food (especially in the Garden State) has recently gotten a bad rap, and Chef Sergio & Johnny Meatballs have arrived to mangia their way to the truth!

So what is the truth? In today’s society, modern “regional” Italian is taking the place of the simple peasant dishes of previous generations. What’s left behind is cardboard carbon copy fast food – a far cry from the homemade old-school family-style meals that Nonna made famous. The passionate mission of Sergio and Johnny is to show the public how classically trained chefs and comfort food cooks can coexist. The objective is for those with a sophisticated palate to appreciate the Sunday dinners of the past. Rather than debating over which is better (although things are sure to get “heated” with hot-headed Italians), the idea is to compare and enjoy the different dishes. This will be a combination of traveling and visiting various East Coast establishments – from local pizza parlors to high-end 5 star restaurants. Cooking segments by the two cugines would also be part of the show.

The “angle” of the show is based on the two interesting and entertaining personalities and perspectives of the hosts with Sergio, 40, the “restaurant chef” and Johnny, 31, the “home cook.” While each episode would stay within the basic framework of the concept, there will be deviating plot lines, where random topics will be discussed and special guests will be featured.

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ABOUT THE STARS

Chef Sergio Maestoso is an executive chef at Calandra’s Italian Village in Fairfield, NJ as well as the owner of Chef’s Sergio’s Muffaletta Mix, sold in Shop-Rites and other grocery stores. Sergio is also the inventor of Chef Sergio’s Colander Light. Chef Sergio’s Muffaletta Mix is listed as an Amazon.com “Top Rated” Product.

Johnny “Meatballs” DeCarlo is a caterer, meatball maker, food blogger and entertainer, featured on multiple TV and radio spots including Vh1. Johnny travels to Italian feasts selling his meatballs which are also sold in Corrado’s Markets. Johnny competed in the “Chef Central Gravy War” and the Chef Central sponsored, “UNICO Charity di Vino” fancy food show winning “Best Meatballs” for both events.

Cooking Cugines will make its debut on youtube and facebook in early  October. It will also be seen right here in this blog as well.