NOTE: Over the years, my MEN WHO COOK emails have often been blocked by many email servers.  To ensure you receive the information, I am also posting the updates onto a private update page for cooks at www.willcountycac.org/2024-cook-updates  Each time I send a bulk email out to the cooks and sous chefs/assistants leading up to Saturday, Oct. 19th, I will also  post it at that link, so cooks can access the information as needed.

Cooks Update #3 - Sent 10/13/24
Hi Cooks!

We’re 6 days away from MEN WHO COOK!  I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.  (The most current list of cooks/categories/dishes is at the bottom of this email.)  It's always so much fun eating the delicious dishes, and seeing the creative food presentation, table decorations, and cook's theme attire, etc.!!!

Don't forget...because my MEN WHO COOK bulk email updates have been blocked by many of your email servers I have created a private update page for cooks at https://willcountycac.org/2024-cook-updates/.  Each time I send a bulk email out to the cooks and sous chefs/assistants leading up to Saturday, I also post it at that web page so cooks can access the information.

HELP US PROMOTE ON WJOL!  Each morning, Monday 10/14 through Friday 10/18, WJOL 1340 AM morning broadcaster Scott Slocum will welcome 2 cooks to join him IN THE WJOL STUDIO along with samples of the dish you will be serving at MEN WHO COOK for the on-air staff to taste and talk about on air – in an effort to promote ticket sales.  Thank you to those of you who have already agreed to bring SAMPLES OF THEIR DISH to the WJOL Studio (2410 Caton Farm Rd. Crest Hill) for an on-air taste-testing with Scott Slocum to promote ticket sales/attendance.  We would like to have TWO different dishes featured each day, so please consider filling in one of the slots below with YOU & your dish!  It's lots of fun in the studio...and Scott Slocum loves tasting the food on air.  🙂This is a free opportunity to promote your business and your community involvement!

MONDAY  Oct. 14:  7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1  Paul Adamczyk of Delight Wish & Judge Art Smigelski w/ Pierogi
#2  AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot 

TUESDAY Oct. 15: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Mike Rittof & Jay Bergman, First Secure Community Bank w/ Monster Mash Potatoes
#2 Curtis Carter & Colette Safford w/ Rib Tips Dish

WEDNESDAY Oct. 16: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Rachel Miller - On The Rocks w/ cocktail they'll serve at MWC bar
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

THURSDAY Oct. 17: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Kris Cheranichit, ACB Mortgage w/ Bahn Mi Bites
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

FRIDAY Oct. 18 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Sgt. Jason Louthan, Mokena PD w/ smoked turkey, wild boar stuffing & cajun gravy
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

Please review YOUR information on the chart at the bottom of this email that will be used to print event signs and will be used for the voting process.  Please ensure your name and work/organization are correct, and that your dish name and category are accurate!  If there is anything that needs to be changed -- email me ASAP with the changes
State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow asked me to express how grateful he is for your participation.  He looks forward to seeing you on Saturday night!  As he always says, your participation as cooks is crucial to the success of not only the MEN WHO COOK event, but also to the continued viability of the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center that provides hope, healing and justice for abused children throughout Will County.
A few reminders for Saturday:
  • Cooks must be in place, and set up by 5:30 PM, so you are strongly encouraged to arrive between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Parking attendants will direct you to drive around to the back of the building, where we will have volunteers available to help you unload everything!
  • You may unload your food and supplies beginning at 3:30 p.m. Volunteers will be available to help you unload. You will then be routed to a nearby spot to park your car and return to set up.
  • All cooks are responsible for purchasing/providing their own food and cooking supplies. Your food must be cooked/prepared before arrival.
  • Cooks are expected to provide any necessary serving utensils and an extension cord <---- highly recommend! if you need to use warmers, etc. at your table.
  • Cooks will be arranged around the inside perimeter of both the Weitendorf Center's arena & exhibit hall, and grouped into to the category (Appetizer, Side-Dish, Entrée, Dessert, Professional) you are in.  Please understand, special requests for a specific location can’t be promised.
  • We will provide two 6’ banquet tables with a table cloth (one for you to use as a prep table in the back of your area and the other to use as your serving and display area in front.  Additionally, we will provide 2 warming racks, sternos, plastic eating utensils, 2 ounce plastic cups, napkins, and cook's gloves.
  • Cooks are admitted to the event for free, along with one guest/helper. If you have other guests attending, they must PURCHASE TICKETS and enter with the other attendees when the doors open at 6 p.m.
  • Each cook is expected to stay for the entire evening to meet and greet people and give information on their dish.
  • Volunteers will be available throughout the evening to refill your supplies.
Every attendee will have 1 FREE vote for their favorite dish in each category: 1.) Amateur Appetizer/Side Dish, 2.) Amateur Entrée, 3.) Amateur Dessert, and 4.) Professional/Commercial,  Additionally, attendees will vote for the best Table Display/Theme. THE MORE PEOPLE YOU ENCOURAGE TO ATTEND AND VOTE FOR YOU, THE BETTER!   Start encouraging your friends/family/coworkers, etc. to purchase tickets at www.menwhocook.info
PLEASE SHARE PHOTOS of your food shopping, food preparations etc. on social media (tag the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center) and email or text to me so that I can post on our social media.
FROM THE WILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
Will County Health inspectors will be at the JJC Weitendorf building on Saturday 4PM - 6 PM to conduct informal/educational inspections before we can open to the public. They will be checking:
  • To make sure that cooks and assistants have and are using gloves when handling ready to eat food (barriers such as deli sheets, or tongs can be used in substitution of gloves).
  • Hygienic practices such as hair restraints in the form of hair net or hat
  • That food is not being held in the temperature danger zone, food should be 41* F or less if cold-holding, or 135* F or higher is hot holding
  • For proper sanitization of your food contact equipment (tongs, spoons, etc) please bring extra in case of contamination.
  • Signage (to be provided by the Will County CAC) will be placed at each chef's table, stating that the food was cooked in a kitchen that is not routinely inspected by the local health department. The sign will also mention the potential for allergen cross contamination, in the event that a consumer has an allergy, please be aware of ingredients used.
Please contact Will County Health Department Sanitarian Erica Hildreth at 815-740-7626 / [email protected] if you have any questions regarding food safety or items discussed above.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for volunteering to be one of our cooks! Your participation raises the funds to support the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Both State's Attorney Glasgow and I appreciate your efforts!!!!
If you have any questions or concerns, the BEST way to reach me is to text or call my work cell: 815/641-7986 or my personal cell: 815/353-1333.
Lisa
Entry Id Cook's Name Last Company/Org Assistant's Name Last Category Dish Name
3 Mike Rittof First Secure Community Bank Jay Bergman Appetizer
Side Dish		 Monster Mashed Potatoes
5 Chris Allen Plainfield PD Cody Columbus Appetizer
Side Dish		 Smoked Queso with homemade tortilla chip
7 Tony Garcia Morningstar Mission Dwight Hunter Appetizer
Side Dish		 Smoked Pork and Beans
9 Ryan Gulli Manhattan Police Department Robert Bernardy Appetizer
Side Dish		 Jail House Sliders (80's style sloppy Joe's sliders)
11 Paul Retzke Shorewood Police Department Kevin Frazier Appetizer
Side Dish		 Jailhouse Rocks
15 Owen Price Mokena PD Antonio Mavrogiannis Appetizer
Side Dish		 Pig Shots
16 John Arizzi Lockport Police Department Chris Neyhart Appetizer
Side Dish		 Neyhart Nuggies
17 Kris Cheranichit ACB Mortgage Brynn Cheranichit Appetizer
Side Dish		 Bahn Mi Bites
23 Raymond Boutte Jr. CITGO Petroleum Corp Lemont Refinery Jim Lant Appetizer
Side Dish		 Double Trouble Chili
26 Bernie Avila Distinct Visual Solutions Cesar Cardenas Appetizer
Side Dish		 Carnitas nachos
29 Michael Ryan Romeoville Police Department Eric LeStronge Appetizer
Side Dish		 Elotes "Street Corn"
34 Robert Enright Robert Enright for Will County Coroner Jose Munoz Appetizer
Side Dish		 Bacon Gouda Mac n' Cheese
36 Andrew Dowding Dowding Family Derek Kaczmarczyk Appetizer
Side Dish		 Loaded baked potato soup
6 Joel Steen Crest Hill Police Department David Reavis Dessert Cherry Cheese Poopy
12 Garrett Latham Will County Executive - Facilities Department Daniel Shields Dessert Assorted Themed Truffles
20 Colin Malley Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol Amanda Malley Dessert chocolate covered pretzels
21 Paul Preuss Regional Office of Education John Sparlin Dessert Lemon Bar
25 Raymond Boutte Jr CITGO Petroleum Corp Lemont Refinery James Lant Dessert Cashew Caramel Shortbread Bites
27 John Blough Channahon Police Department Ethan Anderson Dessert S'More of What
31 Ceja Juan Joliet Police Dept Kristoff Petro Dessert kolacke cookies
33 Joseph Diamond Will County State's Attorney's Office Erica Martinez Dessert Graham Cracker Cake
2 Jeff Kowalczyk Mokena Miracles Beth Kowalczyk Entree' Latin pulled pork street tacos
4 Neil O'Mara AD Process Equipment Conner Cox Entree' Pulled Pork Sandwich
13 Nick Hudetz Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties Sharon Nicholson Entree' Beef Short Rib w/ Elote Corn
14 Jason Louthan Mokena Police Department Sarah McCarthy Entree' Smoked Turkey w/ wild boar stuffing and cajun gravy
18 Kevin Shymanski Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol Ed Shymanski Entree' Brisket
19 Curtis Carter Colette Safford for Judge Robert Safford Entree' Rib Tips
22 Cruz Serrato Director of Operations Dawn Serrato Entree' smoked pork red chili tamales
28 Jason Mitchem Bolingbrook Police Department Nick Higens Entree' Pulled pork sliders with burnt ends
30 Dan Jungles Will County Sheriff’s Office Robert Austin Entree' Smoked Baby Back Ribs
32 Jim Lanham Jim Lanham and friends Katie Deanne Schlotmann Entree' Victory Chilli
35 Raymond Boutte Jr CITGO Petroleum Corp Lemont Refinery James Lant Entree' Shrimp and Crawfish Taco Bites
37 Team Shanahan Gabby Shanahan for 97th State Representative Gabby Shanahan Entree' Smoked BBQ Ribs
1 Scott DuBois Will County Problem Solving Courts Mitch Crandall Entree' Recovery Chili
8 Paul Adamczyk Friends to Elect Judge Art Smigielski | Delight Wish European Restaurant Judge Art Smigielski Professional
Commercial		 Pierogi
10 Tom Langley Joliet Central High School Culinary Program Amanda Ashmus Professional
Commercial		 Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites
24 Michael Stephans Silver Cross Hospital Peter Martin Professional
Commercial		 Creamy Shrimp and Lobster Newburg in a Pastry Cup
Cooks Update #2 - Sent 10/7/24
Hi Cooks & Sous Chefs/Asst. Cooks:

I'm thrilled to announce that we now have 34 chef spots filled. 🙂 🙂 🙂  I wholeheartedly THANK YOU for signing up to cook in the 14th annual Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the J.J.C. Weitendorf Center, 17840 W Laraway Road, Joliet.  State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow and I REALLY appreciate your participation!

At the bottom of this email is a table of the most current list of cooking teams that have registered, and what dish you each team is preparing.  We still have room for a couple more entries.  If you know someone who is still planning to register, they MUST do so by Thursday, Oct. 10!   ALSO...PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION IN THE LIST BELOW FOR ACCURACY (i.e. spelling of your name, the org/business you're representing, the category your dish is in, and the dish name) and email me back any changes.  I use the information in the table below for event signage and voting, so it has to be accurate!  🙂

STILL OPEN SPOTS TO PROMOTE YOUR INVOLVEMENT ON WJOL!  Each morning the week of the event, Monday 10/14 through Friday 10/18, WJOL morning broadcaster Scott Slocum will welcome 2 cooks to join him IN THE WJOL STUDIO with State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow – along with samples of the dish you will be serving at MEN WHO COOK for the on-air staff to taste and talk about on air in an effort to promote ticket sales.  Please look at the schedule below and email or text me which date you would like to be reserved for you!   This is a FREE opportunity to promote your business, and your community involvement!  Additionally, I broadcast the radio segment via Facebook LIVE and then upload the video to social media.

MONDAY  Oct. 14:  7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1  Paul Adamczyk, Delight Wish & Judge Art Smigelski w/ TBD Dish
#2  AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

TUESDAY Oct. 15: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Mike Rittof & Jay Bergman, First Secure Community Bank w/ Monster Mash Potatoes
#2 Curtis Carter & Colette Safford w/ Rib Tips Dish

WEDNESDAY Oct. 16: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

THURSDAY Oct. 17: 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Kris Cheranichit, ACB Mortgage w/ Bahn Mi Bites
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

FRIDAY Oct. 18 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
#1 Sgt. Jason Louthan, Mokena PD w/ smoked turkey, wild boar stuffing & cajun gravy
#2 AVAILABLE - Text Lisa @ 815/641-7986 to reserve your spot

MEN WHO COOK will be videotaped and broadcast on local cable TV, and distributed on a variety of social media outlets – this is a great opportunity to promote your business or organization!  The legendary JCTV volunteer camera crew of Mille & Dick Schuster will film you being interviewed at your table by either WJOL's Scott Slocum or Joliet City Councilwoman Jan Quillman — both are volunteering that night! Be prepared to talk about why you're participating to support the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center and any funny/interesting stories about the making of your dish.  Also, show off your food, creative attire, and theme decor!

PLEASE promote your participation in MEN WHO COOK on your personal social media accounts — and ask your work social media contacts to also promote your participation!  Be sure to "tag" the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) so we can re-share your posts, too. For example, you can share photos and updates about your food prep, shopping, etc.  And, be sure to tell people to go to www.menwhocook.info to purchase tickets!  If you don’t like to post on social media, please consider "liking" and sharing OUR posts.  The more you interact with our posts, the more exposure our posts receive and the people they reach!

Don't forget...cooks are responsible for purchasing/providing their own food and cooking supplies. Dishes must be cooked/prepared before arrival.

  • We provide two (2)  6 ft. rectangle tables with a table cloth (one will be in the front of your space and is where you'll serve guests, and the other will serve as a work/prep table in the back of your space), a sterno wire rack and burning fuel, plastic sporks, 2 oz. tasting cups, and napkins. Volunteers will be available throughout the evening to provide cooks with supplies or any other needs.
  • Each cook is expected to bring 800, 2 oz. samples for our guests to taste at the event.
  • Cooks are STRONGLY encouraged to decorate their serving area and wear fun attire to entice the guests to sample their cuisine. Creatively decorating your workstation, and promoting your business/organization is strongly encouraged!
  • You may unload your food and supplies beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.  Volunteers will be available to help you unload.
  • All cooks and their assistant must be in place and set up by 5:30 p.m. so that the Health Department can complete their inspection prior to giving approval for us to open.
  • The event will open to the public at 6 p.m.
  • Each food entry is provided FREE admission for 1 cook and 1 assistant; additional guests/helpers must purchase tickets online or at the door. 100% of money raised at this event goes to support Will County Children’s Advocacy Center's programs that provide hope, healing & justice for abused children.
  • Each cook is expected to stay for the entire evening to meet and greet people and give information on their dish.  Providing printed recipes is encouraged.
  • Every paid attendee will have 1 FREE vote for their favorite dish in the following categories:  1.) Amateur Appetizer, 2.) Amateur Side Dish, 3.) Amateur Entrée, 4.) Amateur Dessert, 5.) Amateur Table Display/Theme, and 6.) Professional/Commercial.  (THE MORE PEOPLE YOU ENCOURAGE TO BE A PAYING ATTENDEE AND VOTE FOR YOU, THE BETTER…so start lining up your friends/family/coworkers, etc. to purchase tickets at www.menwhocook.info)
  • The cook and his assistant will be awarded medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category:  Amateur Appetizer, Amateur Side Dish, Amateur Entrée, Amateur Dessert, Amateur Table Display/Theme Category, and Professional/Commercial Category
  • You are strongly encouraged to decorate your table with a creative theme of your choice, and/or advertise a business or organization that you are representing.
  • You may distribute any literature about your business and/or the dish you are serving to the attendees that come to your table.

Cooks in the PROFESSIONAL/COMMERCIAL Category: (if you’re in one of the amateur categories…don’t pay any attention to this, skip to the next item.) The Will County Health Department needs to permit all third party vendors (COMMERICAL COOKS) participating in the event. NOTE: the cooks in the amateur categories do not need a permit. We will provide signage about how their food product was not prepared in a kitchen that is routinely inspected by the Will County Health Department.)

If you have ANY questions...please email me.  I'm happy to help!  🙂 And, again...THANK YOU!!!!! 

Cook's
Name
Last
Company/
Organization
Previously
Cooked
Assistant's
Name
Last
Category
Dish
Mike
Rittof
First Secure Community Bank
2 Years
Jay
Bergman
Appetizer/Side Dish
Monster Mashed Potatoes
Chris
Allen
Plainfield PD
1 Year
Cody
Columbus
Appetizer/Side Dish
Smoked Queso with homemade tortilla chip
Tony
Garcia
Morningstar Mission
1 Year
Dwight
Hunter
Appetizer/Side Dish
Smoked Pork and Beans
Ryan
Gulli
Manhattan Police Department
1 Year
Robert
Bernardy
Appetizer/Side Dish
Jail House Sliders (80's style sloppy Joe's sliders)
Paul
Retzke
Shorewood Police Department
4 Years
Kevin
Frazier
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Jailhouse Rocks
Nick
Hudetz
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
First Time
Sharon
Nicholson
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Elote Corn with a slice of Beef Short Rib
Owen
Price
Mokena Police Department
1 Year
Antonio
Mavrogiannis
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Pig Shots
John
Arizzi
Lockport Police Department
5 Years
Chris
neyhart
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Neyhart Nuggies
Kris
Cheranichit
ACB Mortgage
3 Years
Brynn
Cheranichit
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Bahn Mi Bites
Raymond
Boutte Jr.
CITGO Petroleum Corp Lemont Refinery
8 Years
Jim
Lant
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Double Trouble Chili
Bernie
Avila
Distinct Visual Solutions
1 Year
Cesar
Cardenas
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Carnitas nachos
Michael
Ryan
Romeoville Police Department
4 Years
Eric
LeStronge
Appetizer/
Side Dish
Elotes "Street Corn"
Joel
Steen
Crest Hill Police Department
5 Years
David
Reavis
Dessert
Cherry Cheese Poopy
Garrett
Latham
Will County Executive - Facilities Department
1 Year
Daniel
Shields
Dessert
Assorted Themed Truffles
Colin
Malley
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol
First Time
Amanda
Malley
Dessert
chocolate covered pretzels
Paul
Preuss
Regional Office of Education
1 Year
John
Sparlin
Dessert
Lemon Bar
Raymond
Boutte Jr
CITGO Petroleum Corp Lemont Refinery
8 Years
James
Lant
Dessert
Cashew Caramel Shortbread Bites
John
Blough
Channahon Police Department
5 Years
Ethan
Anderson
Dessert
S'More of What
Ceja
Juan
Joliet Police Dept
First Time
Kristoff
Petro
Dessert
kolacke cookies
Scott
DuBois
Will County Problem Solving Courts
First Time
Mitch
Crandall
Entree'
Recovery Chili
Jeff
Kowalczyk
Mokena Miracles
1 Year
Beth
Kowalczyk
Entree'
Latin pulled pork street tacos
Neil
O'Mara
AD Process Equipment
First Time
Conner
Cox
Entree'
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Jason
Louthan
Mokena Police Department
1 Year
Sarah
McCarthy
Entree'
Smoked Turkey w/ wild boar stuffing and cajun gravy
Kevin
Shymanski
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol
First Time
Ed
Shymanski
Entree'
Brisket
Curtis
Carter
Colette Safford for Judge
First Time
Robert
Safford
Entree'
Rib Tips
Cruz
Serrato
Director of Operations
First Time
Dawn
Serrato
Entree'
smoked pork red chili tamales
Jason
Mitchem
Bolingbrook Police Department
1 Year
Nick
Higens
Entree'
Pulled pork sliders with burnt ends
Dan
Jungles
Will County Sheriff’s Office
First Time
Robert
Austin
Entree'
Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Jeff
Brown
Will County SAO
?
?
?
Entree'
Cowabunga Pizza
Paul
Adamczyk
Delight Wish European Restaurant
First Time
Judge Art
Smigielski
Professional
TBD
Tom
Langley
Joliet Central High School Culinary Program
1 Year
Amanda
Ashmus
Professional
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites
Michael
Stephans
Silver Cross Hospital
5 Years
Peter
Martin
Professional
Creamy Shrimp and Lobster Newburg in a Pastry Cup
TBA ASA
TBA ASA
Will County SAO
?
?
?
TBA
TBA
TBA ASA
TBA ASA
Will County SAO
?
?
?
TBA
TBA
Lisa Morel Las, M.Ed.
Executive Director - Will County Children's Advocacy Center
WILL COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY JAMES GLASGOW
Work Cell: 815/641-7986   Personal Cell: 815/353-1333
Email: [email protected]

Cooks Update #1 - Sent 9/24/24

Hi Cooks & Assistants:

THANK YOU SO MUCH for signing up to cook in our 14th annual Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center!  State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow and I truly appreciate your participation!  🙂

As evidenced by the huge crowd that attends each year, you can be sure everyone is looking forward to seeing YOU and tasting your delicious entries. It’s no surprise that what makes this event so popular, year after year, is the delicious food served by YOU, and the creative theme and table decorations!

At the bottom of this email, you will see the list of the 20 cooking teams who have registered to date, and what dish they are preparing. As happens every year, half of the cooks are late signing up.  We still have room for 20 more entries!  Please HELP…recruit others to participate and have them register ASAP at www.menwhocook.info.

MEN WHO COOK is Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the J.J.C. Weitendorf Center, 17840 W Laraway Road, Joliet.

All cooks are responsible for purchasing/providing their own food and cooking supplies. Dishes must be prepared before arrival.

  • We provide two (2)  6 ft. rectangle tables with a table cloth (one will be in the front of your space and is where you'll serve guests, and the other will serve as a work/prep table in the back of your space), a sterno wire rack and burning fuel, plastic sporks, 2 oz. tasting cups, and napkins. Volunteers will be available throughout the evening to provide cooks with supplies or any other needs.
  • Each cook is expected to bring 800, 2 oz. samples for our guests to taste at the event.
  • Cooks are encouraged to decorate their serving area and wear fun attire to entice the guests to sample their cuisine. Creatively decorating your workstation, and promoting your business/organization is strongly encouraged!
  • You may unload your food and supplies beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.  Volunteers will be available to help you unload.
  • All cooks and their assistant must be in place and set up by 5:30 p.m. so that the Health Department can complete their inspection prior to giving approval for us to open.
  • The event will open to the public at 6 p.m.
  • Each food entry is provided FREE admission for 1 cook and 1 assistant; additional guests/helpers must purchase tickets online or at the door. 100% of money raised at this event goes to support Will County Children’s Advocacy Center's programs that provide hope, healing & justice for abused children.
  • Each cook is expected to stay for the entire evening to meet and greet people and give information on their dish.  Providing printed recipes is welcomed.

  • Every paid attendee will have 1 FREE vote for their favorite dish in the following categories:  1.) Amateur Appetizer, 2.) Amateur Side Dish, 3.) Amateur Entrée, 4.) Amateur Dessert, 5.) Amateur Table Display/Theme, and 6.) Professional/Commercial.  (THE MORE PEOPLE YOU ENCOURAGE TO BE A PAYING ATTENDEE AND VOTE FOR YOU, THE BETTER…so start lining up your friends/family/coworkers, etc. to purchase tickets at www.menwhocook.info)

  • The cook and his assistant will be awarded medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category:  Amateur Appetizer, Amateur Side Dish, Amateur Entrée, Amateur Dessert, Amateur Table Display/Theme Category, and Professional/Commercial Category
  • You are strongly encouraged to decorate your table with a creative theme of your choice, and/or advertise a business or organization that you are representing.
  • You may distribute any literature about your business and/or the dish you are serving to the attendees that come to your table.

Cooks in the PROFESSIONAL/COMMERCIAL Category: (if you’re in one of the amateur categories…don’t pay any attention to this, skip to the next item.) The Will County Health Department needs to permit all third party vendors (COMMERICAL COOKS) participating in the event. NOTE: the cooks in the amateur categories do not need a permit. We will provide signage about how their food product was not prepared in a kitchen that is routinely inspected by the Will County Health Department.)

HELP US PROMOTE ON WJOL!Each morning the week of the event, Monday 10/14 through Friday 10/18, WJOL morning broadcaster Scott Slocum will welcome 2 cooks to join him IN THE WJOL STUDIO with State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow –along with samples of the dish you will be serving at MEN WHO COOK for the on-air staff to taste and talk about on air in an effort to promote ticket sales.  Please look at the schedule below and email me back, re: which date you would like to be reserved for you!  EMAIL ME ASAP to reserve your spot…this is a FREE opportunity to promote your business, and your community involvement!
  • MONDAY  Oct. 14 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
  • TUESDAY Oct. 15 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
  • WEDNESDAY Oct. 16 -7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
  • THURSDAY Oct. 17 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
  • FRIDAY Oct. 18 - 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Please be sure to share/post your participation in MEN WHO COOK on your social media accounts, and tag the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) so we can share your posts. For example, share photos and updates about your food prep, shopping, etc.  And, in your posts, be sure to tell people to go to www.menwhocook.info to purchase tickets!  If you don’t like to post on social media, please consider "liking" and sharing OUR posts.  The more you interact with our posts, the more exposure our posts receive and the people they reach!

The event will be videotaped and broadcast on local cable TV, and distributed on a variety of social media outlets – a great opportunity to promote your business or organization!  JCTV hosts and camera crew will interview cooks at EACH table, so watch for them and be prepared to talk about why you participate to support the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, and any funny stories about the making of your dish.

If you have ANY questions...please email me.  I'm happy to help!

Lisa Morel Las, M.Ed.
Executive Director - Will County Children's Advocacy Center
WILL COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY JAMES GLASGOW
Cell: 815/641-7986
Email: [email protected]
Cook's Name
Last
Company/Org
Cook's Email
# of Years Previously Cooked
Assistant's Name
Last
Assistant's Email
1st Choice
1st Choice
Mike
Rittof
First Secure Community Bank
2 Years
Jay
Bergman
Appetizer/Side Dish
Monster Mashed Potatoes
Chris
Allen
Plainfield PD
1 Year
Cody
Columbus
Appetizer/Side Dish
Smoked Queso with homemade tortilla chip
Tony
Garcia
Morningstar Mission
1 Year
Dwight
Hunter
Appetizer/Side Dish
Smoked Pork and Beans
Ryan
Gulli
Manhattan Police Department
1 Year
Robert
Bernardy
Appetizer/Side Dish
Jail House Sliders (80's style sloppy Joe's sliders)
Paul
Retzke
Shorewood Police Department
4 Years
Kevin
Frazier
Appetizer/Side Dish
Jailhouse Rocks
Nick
Hudetz
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
First Time
Sharon
Nicholson
Appetizer/Side Dish
Elote Corn with a slice of Beef Short Rib
Owen
Price
Mokena PD
1 Year
Antonio
Mavrogiannis
Appetizer/Side Dish
Pig Shots
John
Arizzi
Lockport Police Department
5 Years
Chris
neyhart
Appetizer/Side Dish
Neyhart Nuggies
Kris
Cheranichit
ACB Mortgage
3 Years
Brynn
Cheranichit
Appetizer/Side Dish
Bahn Mi Bites
Joel
Steen
Crest Hill Police Department
5 Years
David
Reavis
Dessert
Cherry Cheese Poopy
Garrett
Latham
Will County Executive Facilities Department
1 Year
Daniel
Shields
Dessert
Assorted Themed Truffles
Colin
Malley
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozl
First Time
Amanda
Malley
Dessert
chocolate covered pretzels
Scott
DuBois
Will County Problem Solving Courts
First Time
Mitch
Crandall
Entree'
To be determined
Jeff
Kowalczyk
Mokena Miracles
1 Year
Beth
Kowalczyk
Entree'
Latin pulled pork street tacos
Neil
O'Mara
AD Process Equipment
First Time
Conner
Cox
Entree'
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Jason
Louthan
Mokena Police Department
1 Year
Sarah
McCarthy
Entree'
Smoked Turkey w/ wild boar stuffing and cajun gravy
Kevin
Shymanski
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol
First Time
Ed
Shymanski
Entree'
Brisket
Curtis
Carter
Colette Safford for Judge
First Time
Robert
Safford
Entree'
Rib Tips
Paul
Adamczyk
Delight Wish European Restaurant
First Time
Judge Art
Smigielski
Prof/Commercial
TBD
Tom
Langley
8 Years
Amanda
Ashmus
Prof/Commercial
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites