In this episode, Michael Ferrazzani, chef/owner of Ya Mamma’s Authentic Pasta Sauces, and Kenny Palazzola, chef/brand ambassador of Lilly’s Fresh Pasta and owner of YouTube channel Live, Laugh and Cook Italian, face off to see who can recreate each other’s signature dish.
Each recreated meal will be judged on:
- Percentage of correct ingredients
- Similarities in flavor and plating
- Recreation as a standalone dish
Chef Michael Ferrazzani: Chicken Anna Maria
Chef Michael Ferrazzani is the owner of Ya Mamma’s Authentic Pasta Sauces. Inspired by his own Mom’s cooking – which was legendary among his friends – Chef Michael opened his own Italian restaurant in New Hampshire at twenty-nine years old that he fittingly named Ya Mamma’s and ran for 20 years.
Mystery Dish: Chicken Anna Maria
Chicken, spaghetti squash, bananas, shallots, almonds, lemon, parsley, rum, banana liqueur
Chef’s Choice Charity: New England Humane Society
Embodying its mission of “rescue, heal, adopt, educate,” the New England Humane Society fights to create a “no-kill nation” by rescuing and rehabilitating animals from high-kill shelters in order to find them their forever homes.
Chef Kenny Palazzola: Stuffed Sole & Seafood Risotto
Chef Kenny Palazzola started cooking with his Italian Grandmother at just six years old, and by the time he was sixteen, he found himself in high demand to cook for the rest of the family. Born and raised in Little Italy in the North End, Chef Kenny grew up in a community that embodied the motto, “food is love.”
Mystery Dish: Stuffed Sole & Seafood Risotto
Sole, crab, lobster, crackers, Italian bread, parsley, garlic, thyme, rice, Parmesan cheese
Chef’s Choice Charity: The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member of Feeding American and one of the largest food banks in the country. The goal of the food bank is to provide three meals a day to food-insecure individuals in eastern Massachusetts.
Meet the Judge: Lisa Finneran
Lisa Finneran is an executive chef who has her own personal chef company called Eat Something. When she’s not cooking, she’s writing her children’s book that’s aimed at reimagining and repurposing “unpretty” produce for kids through fun and approachable recipes.
Want to see who wins?
You can watch this episode, Blind Kitchen: Ya Mama, on the Very Local channel. You can stream all of the episodes of Blind Kitchen for free.
Looking for more Boston eats…
Check out our guide to the best international food stores in Boston and learn more about the history of America’s first chocolate mill in Lower Mills.
Stay Tuned
Our new show “Boston Rob Does Beantown” is coming in April. Follow @verylocalboston on Instagram and Facebook for updates.