Nassau firefighters to compete in BBQ cook-off

Break out the spatulas.

Firefighters from six Nassau County fire departments are once again ready to flip burgers and poke ribs for the annual BBQ Cook-Off Friday.

The event is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum at 399 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. in Uniondale. The teams will compete to see who makes the best barbecue ribs and hamburgers — and, because they are firefighters, they’ll use the event to remind the public about barbecue safety.

Companies that will be competing are Bethpage, Freeport, North Massapequa, Rockville Centre, Syosset and Wantagh fire departments.

Among the panel of judges are Joseph Gannascoli, a chef and actor who portrayed Vito Spatafore on “The Sopranos,” Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Anton Community Newspapers and Boulevard Magazine Publisher Angela Anton and Fairway’s master butcher and TV personality Ray Venezia, according to a news release from the museum and market.

First-place winner will get a $250 gift card to Fairway and a trophy from the Nassau County Firefighters Museum. Second- and third-place winners will each get a trophy and $50 gift card to Fairway.