Will County Children’s Advocacy Center releases ‘Men Who Cook Cookbook’ during upcoming culinary competition

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March 8

JOLIET – Want to know the secret ingredients in Joliet Police Commander Ben Billups’ “Big Ben’s Rib Rub?”

Or how much cumin and paprika Will County Chief of Staff Matt Ryan shakes into his “Cuban Pork Roast” to spice it up?

And just how does Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn season and stir the glaze in Lil Jack’s Tacos to give it the perfect zest?

All is revealed in the “Men Who Cook Cookbook: Volume 1,” which will be on sale during the Second Annual Men Who Cook culinary competition from 6-9 p.m. March 20 at the IBEW Local #176 Electrician’s Hall, 1100 NE Frontage Road in Joliet.

The cookbook, which costs $10, features recipes from nearly 30 amateur chefs who entered their dishes in last year’s inaugural Men Who Cook competition to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Other recipes featured in the cookbook: Joliet Detective Pat Schumacher’s “Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos”; local attorney Marty Shanahan’s “Smokin’ Bones Rib Recipe”; Joliet Township High School Board Member Jeff Pierson’s “Spicy Sausage Rigatoni”; and Tom Grotovsky’s locally famous “Shrimp With Tequila, Lime and Garlic.”

Also included in Volume 1 is Alan Laveille’s “Scalloped Potatoes,” which took top honors in the Side Dish category during the 2009 Men Who Cook.

“The easy-to-follow recipes in this book come from local guys who know how to do more in the kitchen than scramble a few eggs or heat up a microwave dinner,” said Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, who founded the Children’s Advocacy Center 15 years ago. “They all gave generously of their time and talents to make last year’s Men Who Cook wildly successful. Many of them will enter new dishes that turn up the heat in this year’s competition.”

This year’s Men Who Cook will feature roughly 50 local guys who will offer for judging bite-size samples of the favorite dishes they serve their own families and friends. Guests who bring their appetites will taste and vote for their favorite dish in each of four categories: salad/appetizer; side dish; entrée; and dessert. WJOL’s Lynne, Mary and Natalie will emcee the event.

In addition to the competition, there will be a live auction with several great prizes including a golf package, a vintage plane ride and a catered tailgate party.

State’s Attorney Glasgow established the center in 1995 to improve the way child sexual abuse cases are investigated. The center’s trained staff performs child-sensitive interviews when there are allegations of sexual or severe physical abuse. Children’s recorded statements have been used in the successful prosecution of hundreds of sexual predators. 

The state’s attorney founded the center as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization so it would not impact Will County taxpayers. As a result, the center relies on grants, foundations and fundraisers like “Men Who Cook” to operate.

This year’s “Men Who Cook” sponsors include: Kozol Brothers, Inc., the Joliet Exchange Club, Northern Illinois Steel, Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers, the Will County Police Chiefs Association, State Representative Careen Gordon, the Fraternal Order of Police Joliet Lodge 58, InsureOne Insurance Agency and Waste Management.

The cost to sample the fine cuisine at “Men Who Cook” is $35 per person, $60 per couple. To order tickets, call the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4564. Or you can visit the event page at http://www.facebook.com/menwhocook.