Corned Beef Dinner on March 15th a success !
On Saturday, March 15 many people took the opportunity to sample Bob
Zovie's well-known corned beef and cabbage at the First Presbyterian
Church in Florida. Everyone raved at the delicacy and no one left
hungry.
When he was a small boy in his mother Jeannette's kitchen, Bob Zovistoski began honing his culinary skills. Zovie, as he is
affectionately known throughout the Florida community, remembers the
first time he was asked by Mom Harter and
Andy Dombrowski to help out with American Legion's corned beef dinner,
after he finished his military service in 1967. That first dinner at
Post 1250 would forever shape the course of Bob's life. He spent the
next few years helping out with the dinners at the Legion. Then, around
1970, he joined culinary forces with locals Iggy Kosier, Tom Traskus,
Mickey Olejniczak, his Uncle Walt Zovistoski and former mayor Jake
Harter to form a weekend venture catering chicken barbeques, pig roasts
and clam bakes. The six friends continued their business until the late
1980's. Zovie's early days of cooking for charity has remained a staple
in his life. Whether for the First Presbyterian Church or the firehouse,
he has never forgotten his early roots. I remember the first time I
sampled Bob Zovistoski's culinary skills 10 years ago. It was during a
chicken barbeque dinner at the First Presbyterian Church. Having lived
"down south" for 11 years, I thought I knew a thing or two about
barbeque. I ate so much of Bob's chicken that first time that I thought
my stomach was going to pop. It's no wonder that the community comes out
to support local fundraisers when they know Chef Zovie is cooking.
A BIG THANKS to all the volunteers
who helped serve, prepare, organize, sell tickets, cook, and clean up.
Without everyone's hard work, we could not have make this event a
success.