2024 MEN WHO COOK WINNERS
ENTREE' Category
- Pulled Pork Sliders w/ Burnt Ends - Bolingbrook Police Dept. - Jason Mitchem & Nick Higens
- Smoked Baby Back Ribs - Will County Sheriff's Office - Dan Jungles & RJ Austin
- Smoked Turkey w/ Wild Boar Stuffing & Cajun Gravy - Mokena Police Dept. - Jason Louthan & Sarah McCarthy
APPETIZER Category
- Neyhart Nuggies - Lockport Police Dept. - John Arizzi & Chris Neyhart
- Smoked Queso w/ Homemade Tortilla Chip - Plainfield Police Dept. - Chris Allen & Cody Columbus
- Carnitas Nachos - Distinct Visual Solutions - Bernie Avila, Cesar Cardenas & Paul Reyes
SIDE DISH Category
- Monster Mash Potatoes - First Secure Community Bank - Mike Rittof & Jay Bergman
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup - The Dowding Family
- Bahn Mi Mites - ACB Mortgage Group - Kris Cheranichit & Bryn
DESSERT Category
- Assorted Themed Truffles - Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant - Facilities Dept. - Garrett Latham & Shields
- S'More of What - Channahon Police Dept. - John Blough & Ethan Anderson
- Cherry Cheese Poppies - Crest Hill Police Dept. - Joel Steen & David Reavis
PROFESSIONAL/COMMERCIAL CATEGORY
- Creamy Shrimp & Lobster Newburg in a Pastry Cup - Silver Cross Hospital - Michael Stephans & Peter Martin
- Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites - Joliet Central H.S. Culinary Program - Tom Langley & Amanda Ashmus
- Pierogi - Judge Art Smigielski & Delight Wish European Restaurant - Paul Adamczyk & Judge Art Smigielski
DISPLAY/PRESENTATION
- "Sandlot" - Channahon Police Dept.
- "Grandma's Recipe" - Crest Hill Police Dept.
- "Fall Theme" - Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant - Facilities Dept.
VIP SPONSORS
VIP ANONYMOUS SPONSOR - $10,000
EVENT SPONSORS
2023 MEN WHO COOK- Oct. 21, 2023
2023 WINNERS
APPETIZER
- MEXICAN CORN IN A CUP ON A CHIP: Distinct Visual Solutions - Bernie Avila, Cesar Cardenas & Paul Reyes-
- MINI GYRO: Shorewood Police Dept.
- ITALIAN MEATBALLS: Will County Board Member Mark Revis - Dist. 8 Plainfield
SIDE DISH
- MONSTER MASH POTATOES: First Secure Bank - Mike Rittof & Jay Bergman
- SOUTHERN STYLE GRAPE SALAD: Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold
- SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE: Mokena Police Dept. - Owen Price
ENTREE
- WESTERN BITES II: Will County Sheriff's Dept.
- SMOKED PULLED PORK SANDWICH: Bolingbrook Police Dept. - Jason Mitchem & Pete Moranda
- SHORT RIB GNOCCHI: Mokena Police Dept. - Jason Louthan
DESSERT
- MINI PUMPKIN TREAT: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant - FACILITIES DEPT.
- DEMS BUNS DOUGH CINNAMON ROLLS: Andrew Dowding Family
- CASHEW CARAMEL SHORTBREAD BARS: Ray Boutte' CITGO Lemont Refinery
PROFESSIONAL
- MARINATED GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN w/ TROPICAL SLAW - Michael Stephans, Silver Cross Hospital
- LOBSTER BITES w/ TRUFFLE MASHED POTATOES - Rick Jerding, West End Tool & Die, All American Recycling
DISPLAY/THEME
- Shorewood Police Dept w/ Chief Arnold
- Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant - FACILITIES DEPT.
- Lockport Police Dept. - Chris Neyhart
MEN WHO COOK 2022
2022 APPETIZER WINNERS:
- Paul Retzke & Kevin Frazier Shorewood Police Department (Shorewood Smoked Shotgun Shell)
- John Arizzi & Chris Neyhart Lockport Police Department (Neyhart Nibblers)
- David Reavis Jr. & Jason Opiola Crest Hill Police Department (BLT Dip)
2022 DESSERT WINNERS:
- Bob Fox & Daisy Fox Omega Plumbing (Bread Pudding w/ Bourbon Cream Sauce)
- Andrew Dowding & Aidan Krier (Grandma D’s Cookie Bars)
- Scott Gryder & Marty Shanahan (Homemade Ice Cream)
2022 SIDE DISH WINNERS:
- Mike Rittof & Jay Bergman First Secure Community Bank/First Secure Bank - Joliet (Monster Mashed Potatoes)
- Mike Ryan & Dominic Thielmann Romeoville Police Department (Elotes-Mexican Corn)
- Bruce Grahm & Mary Grahm Will County Sheriff FOP Lodge #94 (Buffalo Mac ‘ N Cheese)
2022 PROFESSIONAL/
COMMERCIAL CHEFS:
COMMERCIAL CHEFS:
- Michael Stephans & Peter Martin Silver Cross Hospital (Shrimp Etouffee)
- Rick Jerding & Matt Eilers - West End Tool and Die/All American Recycling (Duck Carnitas)
- Eduardo Nepomuceno & Carlo Villagracia Edrolls Filipino Fusion (Eggrolls)
2022 ENTREE WINNERS:
- Shaun Moran & Vinnie DiSalvo - Will County Sheriff's Office (Investigators Surprise)
- Louis Manzella & Andy Hensel (Mississippi Poh Boy Sliders)
- Charles Pelkie Lauren Staley Ferry Will County Clerk (Chinese Triple Pepper Beef)
2022 DISPLAY WINNER:
Daniel Crane - "Stranger Things" Theme
MEN WHO COOK 2019 VIDEO
- Red Carpet Interviews by WJOL's Lynne, Mary & Natalie
- Cook Interviews by Joliet City Councilwoman Jan Quillman and WJOL's Kevin Kollins
- Special THANK YOU to JCTV's Dick & Millie Schuster for filming and editing!
MEN WHO COOK 2019 WINNERS
APPETIZER
- Meatball Stuffed Arancini - Jonathan Zambrano, Renova Bodyworks
- Specialty Seasoned Pretzels & Cheese Dip – Crest Hill Police Dept. with Joel Steen
- Smoked Salmon – Dan Pohrte
SIDE DISH
- Chipotle Bacon Mac & Cheese – Bob Fox of OMEGA Plumbing
- Pork Bao – Kris Cheranichit and Steve Golub
- QuesaGRUNDYllas– Jeff Brown of Will County State’s Attorney’s Office
ENTRÉE
- Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf (w/ Mashed Potatoes & Gravy) – Shorewood Police Dept. with Paul Hulbert & Jason Barten
- “Da-Sausage” – Channahon Police Department, and Mahoney, Silverman & Cross Law Firm
- Caribbean Pork Tenderloin w/ Peach Chutney – Joe Garbin of Garbin Insurance
DESSERT
- Butterscotch Butterfinger Delight – Joliet Fire Department with Nate Kren, Chris Kinsella & Eric Mattson
- Assorted Cupcakes - Patrick Marcum & Brett Marcum – Glen Marcum Foundation
- Nutella Marshmallow Sandwich - Daniel Crane – Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside
PROFESSIONAL/COMMERCIAL
- Lobster Roll– Peter Martin of Silver Cross Hospital
- Chipolte Mashed Potato w/ Shredded Beef, Tequila Horseradish & Corona Shrimp on a Plantain Chip w/ Avocado Sauce & Mango Salsa– Thomas Moreno of The Blue Taco/United Way of Will County
- Mini Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Marzell Richardson of Richardson’s Catering
Past Photos/Videos
MEN WHO COOK 2019 VIDEO
- Red Carpet Interviews by WJOL's Lynne, Mary & Natalie
- Cook Interviews by Joliet City Councilwoman Jan Quillman and WJOL's Kevin Kollins
- Special THANK YOU to JCTV's Dick & Millie Schuster for filming and editing!
MEN WHO COOK 2019 WINNERS
APPETIZER
- Meatball Stuffed Arancini - Jonathan Zambrano, Renova Bodyworks
- Specialty Seasoned Pretzels & Cheese Dip – Crest Hill Police Dept. with Joel Steen
- Smoked Salmon – Dan Pohrte
SIDE DISH
- Chipotle Bacon Mac & Cheese – Bob Fox of OMEGA Plumbing
- Pork Bao – Kris Cheranichit and Steve Golub
- QuesaGRUNDYllas– Jeff Brown of Will County State’s Attorney’s Office
ENTRÉE
- Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Meatloaf (w/ Mashed Potatoes & Gravy) – Shorewood Police Dept. with Paul Hulbert & Jason Barten
- “Da-Sausage” – Channahon Police Department, and Mahoney, Silverman & Cross Law Firm
- Caribbean Pork Tenderloin w/ Peach Chutney – Joe Garbin of Garbin Insurance
DESSERT
- Butterscotch Butterfinger Delight – Joliet Fire Department with Nate Kren, Chris Kinsella & Eric Mattson
- Assorted Cupcakes - Patrick Marcum & Brett Marcum – Glen Marcum Foundation
- Nutella Marshmallow Sandwich - Daniel Crane – Autobarn Volkswagen of Countryside
PROFESSIONAL/COMMERCIAL
- Lobster Roll– Peter Martin of Silver Cross Hospital
- Chipolte Mashed Potato w/ Shredded Beef, Tequila Horseradish & Corona Shrimp on a Plantain Chip w/ Avocado Sauce & Mango Salsa– Thomas Moreno of The Blue Taco/United Way of Will County
- Mini Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Marzell Richardson of Richardson’s Catering