2012 was a real crazy year for Johnny Meatballs – personally and professionally. There were many ups and downs and highs and lows. I did a ton of different projects and a lot of hustling. I made over 40 videos (all which can be accessed at youtube/thejohnnymeatballs), wrote around 50 blogs (right here on this site and they also appear on EatItalian.com), took hundreds of photos, went on some talk shows, formed some new partnerships…and probably rolled several thousand meatballs. I also reached 5,000 facebook friends and thank you all for the continued support. Here’s a little recap of some of my adventures.

Jan. 2012 – Every January, I look to extend my meatball business from the streets during “event season” of the spring & summer. A year ago, I attempted to sell my meatballs out of Cuzin’s Deli in Woodland Park as a wintertime satellite location. Due to low turnout, this lasted about one month

Jan. 2012 – I began distributing root beer part-time to pizzerias and delis for my family’s private label soda company Island Girl Beverages – which I’ve continued all year

Feb. 2012 – Celebrated the Giants championship with my annual “Super Bowl Riceball” party

Feb. 2012 – Officially re-launched Johnny’s Meatballs frozen six-packs at 3 Corrado’s Markets where they’ve been sold all year

March 2012 – First collaboration with Chef Sergio, we filmed our first video together “Making Muffaletta Mix”

April 2012 – Attended charity auction at Mexicali Blues, donated a handmade Johnny Meatballs gift basket

April 2012 – Demoed Johnny’s Meatballs at Corrado’s in Fairfield

May 2012 – First outdoor event of the spring with the meatball wagon, the Haworth Street Fair

May 2012 – Took the “Mario Batali Food Stamp Challenge” of making 21 meals for a family of 4 on a budget of $124. Came out successful

May 2012 – Purchased “Black Beauty,” my 2000 Cadillac Deville. She would run strong until 12-12-12

June 2012 – First private catering event of the year at Mediterranean Towers in Fort Lee

June 2012 – Second private catering event of the year at the St. Donato Dinner in Montclair

July 2012 – Attended the B2B Bridal Expo Networking Event at The Landmark in East Rutherford

July 2012 – Appeared on the Long Island talk show “Rendezvous With Alysia Stern”

July 2012 – Appeared on the Bill Russo radio show in NYC

August 2012 – First collaboration with Giovanni Paolo (“Mama’s Boys of the Bronx”) as a guest on his new talk show “The Maztah Ball & Meatball Show” in NYC

August 2012 – Final “Johnny Meatballs On A Roll” event, the five day Saint Rocco’s Feast in Fort Lee. Officially ended my run with the meatball wagon after 2 years

August 2012 – Family vacation in Atlantic City

Sept. 2012 – First official business collaboration with Frankie Antipasto, who assisted me at “Chef Central Festa Italiana” in Hartsdale and Paramus

Sept. 2012 – Officially formed “Cooking Cugines” with Chef Sergio, went on a Brooklyn Pizza Tour and filmed a video with Long Shot Productions

Oct. 2012 – Began demonstrating Chef Sergio’s Muffaletta Mix at various Shop-Rites every weekend

Oct. 2012 – Began working with Frankie Antipasto every Thursday at the Newark Farmers Market, assisting him in selling his famous sandwich

Nov. 2012 – Attended Mr. Cupcakes 5 Year Anniversary Celebration with Frankie Antipasto (first time we both sold our signature specialties from the same tent)

Dec. 2012 – First official collaboration with Lost Brothers Pizza Truck / Mangia Mobile Moonachie with Frankie Antipasto and Howie Pizza (aka: “Food Truck Guys”), sold lunch on the streets of Moonachie

Dec. 2012 – Winter Bazaar at Wallington Civic Center (another Johnny Meatballs – Frankie Antipasto event)

Dec. 2012 – Attended the Closter PBA Toy Drive Charity event, donated food for needy families. (Second collaboration on the pizza truck)

Dec. 2012 – Final Johnny Meatballs private catering job of the year, my brother-in-laws holiday party at AT&T

I have a lot in the works for 2013, starting on Jan. 14 where I will be parked in Little Ferry with the pizza truck in our first semi-permanent location with my fellow Food Truck Guys (Frankie Antipasto and Howie). I also hope to launch my Special10-Spice Blend in stores, and a brand new line of Johnny Meatballs t-shirts, among other plans. The best way to follow all my updates is right on this blog as well as my facebook page (Johnny Meatballs).

Not included in my timeline are two horrible events of 2012 and those were Hurricane Sandy and the Connecticut School shooting. My thoughts are prayers go out to all of those affected by these horrible tragedies.