Chicken riggies
Encyclopedia
Chicken Riggies or Utica Riggies is an Italian-American pasta dish native to the Utica-Rome area
of New York State. It is a pasta
-based dish usually consisting of chicken, rigatoni and hot or sweet peppers in a spicy cream and tomato sauce, although many variations exist.
In one version of the origin, Bobby Hazelton came up with chicken riggies when he and Richie Scamarto owned the Clinton House restaurant in the strip mall in Clinton. In another version, a chef from Dominique’s Chesterfield Restaurant in Utica invented riggies in the 80s.
. In 2008, the festival made over $300,000.
Recent Riggie Cup winners include:
Teddy's was inducted into the Chicken Riggies Hall of Fame in 2008 after winning the competition three years in a row. That year Teddy's stepped aside to allow other restaurants a chance at the title. Teddy's winning recipe was published in Mohawk Valley Living.
Utica-Rome metropolitan area
The Utica-Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in central New York, anchored by the cities of Utica and Rome...
of New York State. It is a pasta
Pasta
Pasta is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine, now of worldwide renown. It takes the form of unleavened dough, made in Italy, mostly of durum wheat , water and sometimes eggs. Pasta comes in a variety of different shapes that serve for both decoration and to act as a carrier for the...
-based dish usually consisting of chicken, rigatoni and hot or sweet peppers in a spicy cream and tomato sauce, although many variations exist.
Beginnings
The origins of "riggies" have been disputed and lost in time. Many of the chefs from the Utica area seem to have a claim to the dish, yet there seems to be no clear idea who was the originator.In one version of the origin, Bobby Hazelton came up with chicken riggies when he and Richie Scamarto owned the Clinton House restaurant in the strip mall in Clinton. In another version, a chef from Dominique’s Chesterfield Restaurant in Utica invented riggies in the 80s.
Riggiefest
The first annual Riggiefest was held in Utica, NY, in 2005 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Riggiefest is a contest which determines what restaurant makes the best riggies in the area. The best riggies will win its creator the prestigious "Riggie Cup". All money made during the fest is donated directly to the YWCAYWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
. In 2008, the festival made over $300,000.
Recent Riggie Cup winners include:
- Teddy's Restaurant in Rome, NY (2010)
- Secret Garden Restaurant in Utica, NY (2009)
- Route 69 Steakhouse and Saloon in Whitesboro, NY (2008)
- Teddy's Restaurant in Rome, NY (2007)
- Teddy's Restaurant in Rome, NY (2006)
- Teddy's Restaurant in Rome, NY (2005)
Teddy's was inducted into the Chicken Riggies Hall of Fame in 2008 after winning the competition three years in a row. That year Teddy's stepped aside to allow other restaurants a chance at the title. Teddy's winning recipe was published in Mohawk Valley Living.