Dozens of chefs put their best entrées forward, but only one restaurant rose to the top. The culinary team from Pancetta Regional Kitchen and Wine Bar recently earned first place in the “Best Entrée” category at the third annual “Taste of Teaneck” event. Pancetta Regional Kitchen and Wine Bar is located inside the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck. The 345-room hotel and conference center is part of the mixed-use Glenpointe complex, developed and owned by Alfred Sanzari Enterprises of Hackensack, New Jersey.

Executive Chef John De Souza created the winning entrée of braised short ribs with pan seared scallops and buttered asparagus. The Pancetta Regional Kitchen and Wine Bar team also demonstrated the delicate art of making its famous homemade fresh mozzarella cheese.

“It is truly an honor to have our dish named ‘Best Entrée’ in a competition that showcased so many talented entrants,” said De Souza. “Cooking is all about love; if you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, the joy is in cooking for others. To be a great chef it is important to work with great chefs, and that is why I am here at the Marriott at Glenpointe.”

Pancetta Regional Kitchen and Wine Bar offers shareable American classics and authentic Italian favorites in a modern, chic setting. The top-rated restaurant features expansive lunch and dinner menus, an impressive selection of wines available by the glass, hand-crafted cocktails and local craft beers on draught.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Teaneck, “Taste of Teaneck” is the ultimate food and cultural experience, and one of the region’s premier annual charity events. This year’s event took place at the Marriott at Glenpointe and showcased food from local restaurants and bakeries, along with live musical entertainment and a tricky tray. Proceeds from the “Taste of Teaneck” support local and international humanitarian causes.

Located at 100 Frank W. Burr Blvd., the Marriott at Glenpointe is just three miles from the George Washington Bridge and 15 minutes from Manhattan. Offering spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, the hotel is ideal for getaways, business meetings and lavish social events. A multi-million dollar renovation project recently transformed the hotel’s lobby, restaurants and 26,500 square feet of meeting space. Key to the lobby renovation is the hotel’s adaptation of Marriott’s “Great Room” concept, which features comfortable seating and plenty of room to work, socialize or relax.

Founded in 1945 by Alfred N. Sanzari, Alfred Sanzari Enterprises is a second-generation family owned and operated business, and one of New Jersey’s foremost real estate developers, owners and managers. The firm is known for the quality design and construction of its buildings, superior hands-on property management and the integrity of its tenant relationships. Many of Alfred Sanzari Enterprises’ strategically located office, industrial, residential, retail and hospitality properties are iconic landmarks in their respective markets with a broad range of world-class corporate tenants. The company is headquartered in Hackensack, N.J.