Derry sports bar Black and Gold Grill to be featured on reality TV show
Their 15 minutes of fame may last for only 15 seconds — and maybe not even that long — but for the owners of the Black and Gold Grill in Derry Township, even a few seconds of exposure on a reality television show would be worth it.
The business at 1433 Main St., just outside of Latrobe, features two levels: one, a family restaurant, and the second, a sports bar and restaurant.
Producers of the Travel Channel's “American Grilled” contacted owners Gene and Michelle Cavaliere, who have helmed the restaurant for more than a decade, to say they would be stopping in to gather “local flavor” for their show, according to Joy Huang, one of the show's producers.
“We may feature the restaurant for just a few seconds,” Huang said, “but it will help show the life of the Latrobe area.”
According to the Travel Channel website, the crew of “American Grilled” is “traveling across America to discover the best and boldest flavors competitors can fire up on their grills in this ultimate, outdoor cooking challenge.”
The website states that host David Guas “visits a different city each week where he serves up amazing local ingredients to test the epic backyard skills of America's hard-core grillers.” Contestants have a passion “for high heat, big meat and cooking over an open flame.”
Each episode of “American Grilled” starts with four competitors, but only one walks away with the $10,000 cash prize and the bragging rights of being “the killer griller,” according to the website.
“They called us (Wednesday) and said they were coming in (the next day) to film,” Gene Cavaliere said. “They said they scout area restaurants and picked us because of the atmosphere.”
The walls, bar area and even the ceiling are adorned with Pittsburgh sports memorabilia.
Huang said she and cameraman William Babcock earlier visited the 210-acre Jamison Farm in Unity Township to shoot footage. The farm produces internationally renowned lamb, the meat featured in the competition. The footage shot at the Black and Gold Grill will be used to show the culture of the Latrobe area.
Waitress Amanda Kukan of Latrobe was all smiles as she poured a draft in front of a packed bar and, of course, a rolling camera.
“I would love to make it on the show,” she said. “I would do anything to make it on camera. This is so exciting. This is a wonderful restaurant with wonderful food run by a wonderful family.”
Julie Rosensteel of Latrobe echoed Kukan's comments. She said she and her husband, Phil, patronize the restaurant several times a month.
“We love the atmosphere,” she said. “It's like being part of a big family.”
“American Grilled” premiered on the Travel Channel in July. Michelle Cavaliere said the show's producers will notify her in September as to when the episode will air.
Chuck Brittain is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at cbrittain@tribweb.com.
