New York J 672: Commending Rob Cervoni upon the occasion of winning an episode of the Food Network's "Chopped" television cooking competition series

Bill Text

Senate Resolution No. 672
Senator MARTINSBY:
Rob Cervoni upon the occasion ofCOMMENDING
winning an episode of the Food Network's "Chopped"
television cooking competition series
Culinary competition enhances the moral and creativeWHEREAS,
development of the people of this State, instilling in them the value of
teamwork, imparting a desire for success, and developing a sense of
artistic and creative expression; and
It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize theWHEREAS,
dedication and commitment of those individuals who distinguish
themselves through excellence in culinary competition; and
Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with itsWHEREAS,
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Rob Cervoni upon the occasion of winning an episode of the Food
Network's "Chopped" television cooking competition series, which aired
Tuesday, March 28, 2023; and
Born in Lake Success and raised in Great Neck, Rob Cervoni,WHEREAS,
a young businessman at heart, opened, with the help of family financing,
a 16 Handles frozen-yogurt franchise in the latter village; he operated
it for eight years before leaving to try a new endeavor; and
With experience and love for making pizza at home, RobWHEREAS,
Cervoni decided to pursue it professionally; he wanted to stand out from
other pizza restaurants, leading him to offer something artisanal; and
Having eaten Roman-style pizza during summers in theWHEREAS,
second-generation Italian's ancestral town, Boville Ernica, Rob Cervoni
was only later inspired to learn to make the Roman-style pizza after
seeing it at an expo in 2016; the style has only begun growing in
popularity in the United States in recent years; and
Opening his restaurant, Taglio, in 2018, Rob Cervoni andWHEREAS,
business partner, Domenico "Mimmo" Tolomeo, began to shift from being a
regular slice shop that also sold artisanal pizza, to focusing on the
successes of only selling artisanal pizza in 2021; their actions are
helping to popularize the relatively rare Roman-style, which resembles
flatbread but is thicker yet simultaneously airier due to its highly
hydrated dough that is given a long rise of up to 96 hours; and
Quickly following this change, Rob Cervoni quickly becameWHEREAS,
one of magazine's seven "Rising Stars of the PizzeriaPizza Today
Industry" in 2022; and
Following his astounding growth and successes, Rob CervoniWHEREAS,
was recruited by the show, "Chopped" which airs on the Food Network;
after a series of online interviews, the pizza chef was invited to
participate on the show, filming his episode in Manhattan in October of

2022; and
The episode aired on Tuesday, March 28, 2023,WHEREAS,
coincidentally the same date as the first night of the 39th Annual
International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Rob Cervoni would
be showcasing his renowned culinary talents; with his strongest support
system joining him, he watched the episode with his loving wife,
Samantha, and their beloved two-year-old son together; and
Rob Cervoni, representing his home of Long Island, in aWHEREAS,
high-stakes battle against other renowned pizza chefs, a fast-ticking
clock, and the pressure of a massive television audience, arose
victorious in defeating his opponents in the fight to claim the title of
Chopped Champion, rightly earning the illustrious $10,000 prize; and
It is with great pleasure that this Legislative BodyWHEREAS,
acknowledges the magnificent talent and representation of excellence
within New York State that is Rob Cervoni, fully confident that he will
continue to enjoy the sparkling successes he has experienced thus far;
now, therefore, be it
That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations toRESOLVED,
commend Rob Cervoni upon the occasion of winning an episode of the Food
Network's "Chopped" television cooking competition series; and be it
further
That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, beRESOLVED,
transmitted to Rob Cervoni.