September 11th

The tragic event is etched in my my mind as it is with too many people in NY, around the country and around the world. The horror of it won't go away but what I choose to remember is the love, courage, and compassion. I was a young Sgt. in the  NYPD that responded to the first attack in 1993 and then as a volunteer recovering the remains of the victims after the second attack.  The number of men and women that responded to help was overwhelming. It goes without saying what the first responders did was heroic but they were not alone in their efforts. There were sanitation workers, Red Cross volunteers, ironworkers, volunteer ministers from the Church of Scientology, tow truck drivers, office workers, and store owners, and average men and women all there doing what they could, from clearing wreckage to applying first aid to feeding and comforting the first responders. Civilians helping people escape ground zero, helping them find there way back home without public transportation, or just giving their fellow Americans a shoulder to cry on. This went on for months and all the unsung heroes( I was reminded of all this from this article in PMQ magazine about Goodfellas feeding the police officers who were sifting through the rubble for human remains day after day for months.) People from all walks of life were there just doing what they could to help from there own ability is recognized and appreciated. From the young lady handing out water to the elderly veteran that donated work gloves to the responders. The school kids from all over the world that sent letters of support, the men and women that fought to make sure the ill were taken care of and their families cared for after their loss. The priests and doctors that had to administer to the survivors still and the list goes on and even on down to the smallest act of kindness that was displayed - like waving and smiling or letting a vehicle go without contest or traffic dispute. A simple bow of the head to those working "the pile" meant a lot.  I want to acknowledge all of you that rose to the occasion and showed the best of humanity and represented mankind for what it truly is. Thank you all, my admiration and respect are yours, you earned it.  Marc Cosentino

Even Primo from The Diamond Collar Knows: You Don't Eat Pizza with a Fork Mr. de Blasio

Trixie the Goodfella's Wonder Dog after a wash and cut at The Diamond Collar

James Guiliani his dog Primo and Marc Cosentino enjoying some fork-free Goodfella's Pizza at The Diamond Collar 

Diamond Collar's stars James Guiliani and Primo decidedly weighed in with the decision  of skipping the fork at their place in Bay Ridge Brooklyn with Goodfella's Marc Cosentino. "It was pretty obvious after the first bite that Primo the Mastiff had no intention of using a fork  after watching his master reach for a slice with his hand" said Cosentino, " and who would try to stop a dog that size anyway". Marc stopped by with his dog Trixe for grooming and a slice the other day after meeting James during a spot on Fox's Good Day Cafe' with Greg Kelly featuring the infamous "fork" from Mayor de Blasio' forkgate incident.

Andrew Scudera and  Marc Cosentino of Goodfella's Pizza with James Guiliani and Primo of The Diamond Collar

The fork is now up for auction at Goodfell'as with proceeds to go to the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with the Tunnel 2 Towers foundation on Staten Island. The first bid of $1000 was made by the New York Brick Oven Company of Staten Island. You can see the fork on display at 1718 Hylan Boulevard at the original Goodfella's Brick Oven Pizza and make your bid for a good cause.

Pizza Cop Bags Evidence from de Blasio's Forkgate

Marc Cosentino on Patrol in the 120 precinct circa 1988

Former NYPD  Sergeant Marc Cosentino went from police patrol to pizza patrol after founding the World Famous Goodfella's Brick oven Pizza on Staten Island New York with his Brother Scot. His former training cam in handy when he thought  to safeguard the central exhibit from the Forkgate scandal in New York City.

Cosentino arresting Leonardo Di Caprio on the Wolf of Wall Street

No stanger to the spot light, having been a co-star on the TV show NYPD Blue, winning the coveted International Best Pizza Award along several times with his brother Scot Cosentino and his partner Andrew Scudera of Goodfella's, they are always looking for ways to help fund good causes and his police background is a natural for things like the time they raised $10,000 dollars for the Jerry Lewis Telethon by handcuffing would be donors to the chairs at Goodfella's till they got "bailed out" by  friends and family. "This fork auction should help raise awareness and funds for the families that are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy and the The Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation which is still doing great work on the relief" said Scot Cosentino. Andrew added " who knew it would get this big and it's a fun way to help".

Infamous fork vouchered in evidence bag at Goodfella's Pizza on Hylan Blvd.

As Mayor de Blasio recently said "I'm glad they're using this opportunity for a good cause and it's  all in good fun". So spread the word that the fork is available for inspection at the Original Goodfella's on Hylan Boulevard and the bids are starting to come in, with first $1000 bid  made by the New York Brick Oven Company since the famous pizza was cooked in their Inferno series revolving brick oven. Happy Pizza to you!

Scot Cosentino and Andrew Scudera of thePizza School New York