Nassau Pizza Maker Wins On Food Network's 'Tailgate Takedown'

GLEN COVE, NY — A Glen Cove food truck owner was declared "tailgate takedown champion" this week, when he and a partner won the first episode of a new Food Network show.

John Zozzaro runs Pizza Company 7, a food truck business that delivers wood-fired Neapolitan pizza to events and parties on a 1990 Mack fire truck. He appeared on the first episode of "Tailgate Takedown," which airs at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Zozzaro told Patch he was selected with his partner Angelo Competiello by the network and the two picked "things they knew," to cook.

"It was a whole lot of fun [but] it was challenging."

The pizza maker was tasked with creating New York-style dishes in the parking lot of the New York Giants stadium with a friend on the show, hosted by Sunny Anderson and Hall of Fame NFL player Vince Wilfork. The New York duo bested two Dallas Cowboys fans to win the show's first episode.

The Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District shared the news of its former board member's win.

"We knew you were going to win all along," the group posted.

Episodes of the show can be seen on The Food Network app.

Zozzaro's unique food truck business is on hiatus, he said, but is taking orders for catering.

"We bring the fire to you — we don't put it out."