Long Island chef hits one-million lobster roll milestone amid cancer-fundraising push

Jackson Hall’s executive chef Mike Landesberg, a Long Island native who survived male breast cancer, celebrated selling his one-millionth lobster roll on Thursday, Aug. 6. The chef, who began running the eatery in 2021 and averages 5,000-6,000 rolls a day, turned the milestone into a town-wide event, complete with a balloon release, a B-52s “Rock Lobster” soundtrack, and a $200 online gift-card giveaway for the most accurate prediction of the sale.

The winning customers, Joseph and Denise Fasano of Bohemia, arrived early and secured the roll at 12:31 p.m., receiving more than $2,000 in gift cards donated by the restaurant and local businesses. Landesberg, who previously appeared on Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares” and Good Morning America, has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for male breast-cancer patients. He noted that the excitement surrounding a simple lobster roll highlighted the power of community support and inspired further charitable efforts.