NYPD Triumph At “Battle Of The Badges” Cook-off

BY JON CRONIN
Editor

Over 2,500 people attended the second annual NYPD and FDNY “Battle of the Badges” cook-off this past Sunday at Resorts World Casino New York City.

Ed Behringer, NYPD Detective with the Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Squad, stole the coveted grand prize from the FDNY by wowing the judges with his almond-encrusted stuffed chicken and bacon cheeseburger egg rolls.

Ray Cooney, a retired FDNY firefighter and star of the television show “Firehouse Kitchen,” hosted the event.

Six contestants competed from the two agencies. After the votes were tallied, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz presented the winners with their trophies and prizes. Firefighter Khalid Baylor, who won last year’s cook-off, took second place and Chris McGuinness, of the NYPD Brooklyn South Narcotics unit, placed third. Behringer, the grand-prize winner, received a trophy in addition to $500 gift cards to Resorts World, P.C. Richard & Sons and Key Food.

Katz delivered remarks and awarded the prizes to the contestants. A panel of five judges included Melva Miller, Deputy Queens Borough president; Cedric Dew, executive director of the Jamaica YMCA; George Lamond, singer and entertainer; Gabriel Cruz, deputy executive chef of Resorts World New York; and Brad Egnor, vice president of Marketing at Resorts World New York.

“Resorts World is proud to be part of the Queens and Greater New York City community and to host this fabulous event,” said Egnor. “We are always looking for ways to bring the community together and to give our thanks to the FDNY and the NYPD for all they do in keeping our guests, colleagues and neighbors safe.”

Local vendors and community organizations, including the Queens Public Library and Jamaica YMCA, participated in the event, hosting booths with informational literature, food and games. A variety of tasty fare was available to guests throughout the venue, which featured a taco truck, an ice cream truck, and free cotton candy and popcorn for all guests. Activities included carnival games, face painting, an inflatable bounce house and rock climbing.