About the Iron Skillet^® Cook Off 2011

This year’s competition convened all previous winners as some of New York’s top culinary talent seared and sautéed for bragging rights and the title of Iron Skillet^® Champion. The Cook Off pits FDNY’s top firehouse chefs against their local restaurant counterparts, creating a raucous event to honor NYC’s emergency response community in which 100% of the proceeds benefit World Cares Center.

The 10th Anniversary All-Star Edition showcased the gastronomic best of the best in a town world-renowned for its ability to produce exquisite and innovative dishes. Seven firefighters attempted to continue their dominance over two restaurant chefs and one “wild card” entry at the center of an evening filled with live auction items, Brooklyn Brewery crafted beer, Makers Mark Specialty cocktails, wine, and live entertainment. Celebrity judges and guests added a certain glitz to an already glamorous affair.

Thanks to the firefighters, chefs, sponsors, judges, and guests for making our 10^th Anniversary Iron Skillet^® Cook Off the most memorable to date. The night was a fantastic success in honoring the work we have done over the past ten years and we are excited to embark upon our next ten with so many committed partners. Hope to see you all next year!

	2002- Bill Benitez- As our year 1 winner and member of Manhattan’s Ladder 1, Bill has no time for any other numbers. Look for his panko-crusted halibut as your first option in the 2011 competition as the ISCO old timer struts his stuff against the up and coming talent.
	2003- Scott Worontzoff- Harlem’s Engine 58 star was so gracious in victory that he pumped both fists in the air, toasted the crowd, and moved on to cream competitors on the Rachel Ray Show and the second Daily News 5 Alarm Cookoff. Scott returns this year to recapture the magic of a streak that rivals that of DiMaggio, Gretzky, and King Midas.
	2004- Michael DeGeorgio- In a victory silencing the whispers of a fixed competition, Michael restored some pride for the restaurants of NYC with his 2004 win, the first by a professional chef. An honored graduate of the CIA, Michael quelled rumors that since firefighters were proving themselves such accomplished masters of the kitchen, NYC cooks were considering a collective career change to riding around in big red trucks and shooting water into fire. This year he's throwing his Tonno Con Fichi into the ring, and of course, we mean the Culinary Institute of America, don't be silly.
	2005- John Sierp- Though John might be equally concerned with his profile photo as he is with his red wine-pomegranate braised lamb shank, the Ladder 169 chef is a force to be reckoned with in 2011. In a Joe Nameth-type moment (you know, the guy who guaranteed victory before guaranteeing victory was the norm), John called his shot in 2005 before bringing the Iron Skillet title to Brooklyn. John walks the walk with his lamb-shank, and we’ll even concede he’s not too bad looking either.
	2006- Marc Murphy- The mastermind behind Benchmarc Restaurants made it two titles for the guys who get paid to cook with his Cod Cakes recipe in 2009. Though Marc’s success as a chef is only slightly diminished by his failure to become a professional racecar driver, the rest of us couldn’t be happier with his decision. Marc’s food is such a pleasure that for years guests have politely declined to point out the spelling error in his establishment’s title.
	2007- Jeffrey Scotto- In the firehouse tradition of stuffing things, Jeff’s breadcrumb and garlic-stuffed braciole has turned many a head, including that of Giants quarterback Jared Lorenzen. A member of engine 42 in the Bronx, Jeff won the ISCO crown in his first year with FDNY at the ripe age of 22. Four years later he’ll be eager to show his early success was no fluke.
	2008- James Lowe- While this Ladder 33 chef is known throughout the NYC competitive cooking circuit for his comfort food, he is equally famous for his tendency to keep his squadron on their toes- we don’t want to spoil his fun, but if James offers you an oreo cookie, beware of a doctored (and spicy!) center. All pranks aside, James’ Flank Steak Pinwheels are no laughing matter as he aims to bring another title back to the Bronx.
	2009 & 2011- Robert Painter- One of Engine 63’s Wakefield Warriors, Rob’s Cajun Duck over Creole Grit Pancakes has had firefighters two-stepping all over the top of da Bronx ever since his win two years ago. A veteran of the Rachel Ray show, Rob will be looking to serve up a main course to delight the judges in addition to a slice of humble pie for longtime adversary John Sierp as dessert.
	2010- Jerry Morgan- Known for yucking it up with Chuck Scarborough on the Nightly News, Jerry’s stuffed pork chop is the pride of Brooklyn’s Ladder 108. Along with his sweet potato mash, bacon brussel sprouts, and a swooning soft-spoken nature, Jerry could step in to play the lead for the next installment of the Bourne Identity series, should anything happen to Matt Damon.
	2011 Wild Card- Jonathan Schnapp, Serious Business The Iron Skillet® Cook Off might have gotten more than it bargained for in its wild card entry “Serious Business.” Schnapp, who dressed as a taco to ride Taco Version 2.0 to victory in the Food Experiments National Championship, will bring his game face when he squares off as a rookie against nine seasoned Iron Skillet veterans. What that game face will look like remains to be seen, but he’s sure to add flare to the evening’s festivities while representing the everyman in his quest for continued culinary glory.
For sponsorship information, contact Claudia Fitzpatrick at 212-563-7570 or cfitzpatrick@worldcares.org.

The Iron Skillet^® Cook Off 2011
Monday, October 24th
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Crimson, 915 Broadway in Manhattan

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