The Boss of the Sauce tomato sauce contest is coming back to Little Italy San Jose for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tournament this Sunday, Aug. 17, will pit eight Italian restaurants against each other, and from the sound of it, they’re all confident they’ve got the goods.
Johnny McGrew of Mio Vicino Pasta and Pizzeria in Santa Clara says their marinara recipe belonged to the mother of original owner Tommy Caso, who was from Boston’s North End, and was passed down to current head chef Elias Salvador, who has been with them for 33 years.
Pino Spatole, owner and chef at Paesano Ristorante in Little Italy. says his secret is to use fresh Roma tomatoes, never canned, and cook them twice — with a trip through a passatutto (an Italian food mill) in between.
Deanna Orkin of Sorelle Italian Bistro in Campbell says their sauce is all about the family traditions of the mom and three sisters who opened the restaurant 12 years ago.
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The other contestants include Poor House Bistro, Bibo’s at Littlest Little Italy, Locanda Restaurants and Tony & Alba’s Pizza and Pasta.
The splattering starts at noon in the piazza in front of the Little Italy Cultural Center and Museum, with the winner and the People’s Choice Champion expected to be crowned around 4 p.m.
You can enjoy the sauces — and freshly cooked pasta — for a $25 ticket available at www.littleitalysj.com/events.
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