As part of the Alzheimer’s Culinary Challenge, our very own Chef Vincent Messina was featured on The Rhode Show Kitchen Friday, Nov. 12, from 8 to 9 a.m. Vinny is our terrific head of dining services at EPOCH Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard. Vinny demonstrated how to create a Porcetta, an Italian-style pork tenderloin, to show hosts. On Dec. 2, Vinny and 13 other local chefs will compete in a cookoff to benefit programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association. The association has set a goal of $10,000 for this fundraiser. Here is a video of Vinny's appearance on the TV show.

Judges for the Celebrity cookoff include Channel 12 anchor Mike Montecalvo, Johnson & Wales Chef Terranova, TV Maitre’d Joe Zito, RI Monthly/The Dish Senior Editor Lisa Harrison, and from the Newport Restaurant Group Trio Chef Tim Sousa.

In addition to treating EPOCH’s residents with stellar culinary treats, Vinny owns and operates (with some help from family) a restaurant in Johnston called Gianfranco’s Ristorante & Bar. A graduate of Johnson & Wales, Chef Vinny’s other claim to fame is that he and his crew also won two medals at the Great Chowder Cookoff in Newport.

Chef’s Vinny’s Ingredients

• 4-6 pound pork loin butterflied
• Broccoli Rabe or Spinach
• Garlic
• Roasted Peppers
• Rosemary
• Parmigianino Cheese
• Prosciutto
• Salt & Pepper