The Alternative Press

In lieu of ladders, axes, helmets and flashlights, New Jersey’s bravest will instead don aprons and haul their barbecue tongs, basting brushes, rubs and sauces to  Fairway’s Firefighters Food Face-Off, a grilling “throwdown” that will pit several of New Jersey’s firehouses against one another to prove whose barbecue is best, on Sunday, June 17^th at noon in the parking lot behind Fairway’s Paramus store location, Fashion Center Mall on Route 17 in Paramus, NJ.  (RAIN OR SHINE)  The firefighters will compete to cook their most delicious ribs, beef and vegetable skewers. Taste, originality and the incorporation of a secret ingredient (unveiled once the contest begins) are the criteria for the following judges: Mel Fabrikant and Tina Apprich of the Paramus Post, Maria Melito of Q104.3,  Fairway’s own Master Butcher Ray Venezia and Terry Krongold of The Cook’s Tour. The champion firehouse will not only receive bragging rights for next year—that is, until the 3^rd Annual Paramus Face-Off—but also the opportunity to name the charity of its choice to benefit from  proceeds earned during an upcoming “Fairway Shopping Night.” Participating Firehouses are: Park Ridge Fire Department (defending champs), Ridgewood Fire Department and West Paterson Fire Dept.