Division of Highways Design Engineer Proves to be Pasta Sauce Virtuoso
By Julie Perine on August 25, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Dennis Leroy is not only a design engineer for the West Virginia Department of Highways in Bridgeport, he is also an award-winning pasta sauce maker.
Leroy and Michelle Wilfong, a member of the WVDOH administration team, completed Saturday in the 26th annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Pasta Cook-Off and brought home two first place ribbons. The culinary team earned first place for red sauce and best sauce overall. The event, which leads the way for the 36th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, was held Saturday at Clarksburg’s Jackson Square.
A major WVIHF enthusiast, Leroy has attended the cook-off for several years, but this is his very first time competing.
“My secretary at work wanted me to enter and wanted me to do the cooking,” he said. “I was kind of hesitant at first because I knew I had to cook for 300 to 400 people and bring my whole kitchen with me. I had never cooked on site before.”
Yet, Leroy had cooked the recipe before, as had his mother and grandmother before him.
“My mom’s parents and my father’s parents all came over from Calabria, Italy and this recipe was brought over by my mom’s mother,” he said.
Growing up, he enjoyed the sauce every Sunday afternoon and now he cooks it for his own family.
He believes the secret of the sauce is in the meat used for flavoring. Leroy and his cooking partner brought home combined winnings of $550, plus a four-burner stainless steel gas grill.
Claiming honors for best white sauce, as well as the people’s choice award, were Mary Shields and Rosemary Bonasso.
The event also featured a homemade wine competition, pepper cooking contest and hot pepper eating contest.
This weekend’s West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival kicks off at noon Friday with the crowning of Regina Maria XXXVI Kasandra Ruscitto. See a full festival schedule HERE.
Editor's Note: Pictured top is Dennis Leroy and Michelle Wilfong; just above is Leroy and his son BHS graduate, Brandon Leroy, who will be performing on the festival's main stage Sunday.
