NYRA names Marc Forgione, 'The Next Iron Chef' winner from Long Island, as signature chef at Belmont Park
Marc Forgione, the new signature chef at Belmont Park. Credit: NYRA
Marc Forgione says if Hollywood heard his story, they wouldn’t believe it.
The Floral Park native lived on Plainfield Avenue next to Belmont Park for two years and used to walk his dog along the fence where the famous horse racing track’s property began.
Now Forgione, an award-winning restaurateur and the 2010 winner of Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef,” will return home.
The New York Racing Association announced Thursday that Forgione will be the signature chef at the new Belmont Park, which will reopen on Sept. 18 after its three-year redevelopment. He said his level of excitement “couldn’t be higher.”
“It’s not every day that you get to kind of come home and all of a sudden be part of something that was a huge, iconic part of your childhood,” he told Newsday. “It’s like if I went out and played baseball and then the Yankees called me and asked me if I wanted to be on the Yankees.”
He recalled “technically” not being allowed into Belmont Park as a kid, but “we used to hop the fence and get into trouble sometimes.” He also noted that he used to go there for class trips in grammar school. Forgione said the transformation of the venue is “breathtaking.”
Forgione, whose Manhattan restaurants include Forgione in Tribeca and Peasant in Nolita, will bring his style to Belmont Park’s Turf Club Restaurant, Turf Club Lounge, Homestretch Market and Big Red’s Sports Bar.
“Marc Forgione’s culinary vision, deep New York roots and personal connection to Belmont Park make him the ideal partner to help define the hospitality experience at the new Belmont Park,” NYRA senior vice president of chief marketing and sales officer Matthew Chmura said in a statement. "Our goal is to provide guests with a new level of hospitality, and Marc’s involvement will ensure our restaurants and dining options are among the very best in sports and entertainment.”
Forgione said his food at Belmont Park will focus on what he does, which is “American [dishes], kind of regional cuisine with some historic American dishes.” Highlights include his American chopped salad, chili lobster, a “standout” burger, a “carrot-glazed carrot” (you read that right) and his 10-minute cookies — cookies baked for 10 minutes upon ordering.
He also is hoping to introduce new items, including a “Turf” turkey club and a fried chicken sandwich.
“We’re going to try to bring New York City to the people on Long Island,” he said, “instead of the people on Long Island having to go to New York City to get the food.”
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
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