Bay Ridge’s “A Taste of Fifth Avenue” was fun and delicious

It was a weekend of summer sun, joy and delicious food!

Bay Ridge’s Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) hosted its first ever “A Taste of Fifth Avenue,” on Friday, June 24. Reminiscent of Third Avenue’s “Summer Stroll,” with the street closed off to traffic between 73rd and 84th Streets, restaurants, cafes and bakeries along Fifth Avenue put out their delicacies for Brooklynites to sample and enjoy.

“It was very successful,” said Basil Capetanakis, vice president and founding member of the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID. “I couldn’t believe that in such a short period of time, it was so packed.”
The strip offered various cuisines such as gourmet Italian, pizzerias, Mediterranean, Chinese, Greek and fresh baked goods.

While snacking on Fifth Avenue’s delicious meals, families were able to stroll around and listen to live music, enjoy performances by different dance groups, and participate in games.

Rocco’s famous pizza-eating contest, which was washed out at the annual Fifth Avenue Festival, also took place at this past weekend’s event and was, according to Rocco’s owner, Danny Loccisano, a phenomenal success.

Onlookers watched as six contestants tried to eat as much pizza as they could in 12 minutes, with the first place winner awarded $2,000, the second place winner receiving $1,000 and the third place winner receiving $500. This year’s first place winner was pro boxer Dave Brunelli, from Philadelphia, who ate a whopping 24¾ slices. The second place winner was Wayne Alganio who downed 23½ slices and the third place winner was Itrel Ginzburg who ate 18½ slices.

All proceeds from the contest were donated to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

It was a great day for Fifth Avenue and Brooklyn families, and if you missed it, there’s no need to worry because there will be another “Taste of Fifth Avenue” event happening on Friday, August 26.