June 20, 2011

Congratulations go out to Keith Dixon! Keith was the 2011 winner of the ‘5 Alarm Firefighter Cook Off' on June 18 th - a fundraiser that benefits the Burn Ward at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg . Keith's ‘Thai Firehouse Cashew Chicken' took home top honours and $1,000.00 in prizes. I had the honour of sitting at the judges table and I have to be honest with you, judging food, especially food of such a high calibre isn't nearly as easy as it sounds, although sampling the dishes was a real treat. I didn't want to stop eating them, but I knew that with 5 to sample I had to pace myself. The other top 5 finalists were Rob McDonald with ‘Robbie Mac's Ribs' - Al Levenec with ‘Al's Kick Axe Chili' - David Mirosh with ‘Pyrosis Burgers with Fully Involved Guacamole' - and Derek Balcaen with ‘Man Sauce Ribs.' As I've so often said, it's a privilege working alongside some of the most amazing yet unsung chefs out there, firefighters, and this was yet another example of the fabulous food firefighters bring to the table. It was a great night of great food all for a great cause. Can't wait till next year!

You can check out the competition and the 5 winning recipes here.

April 30, 2011

It's my pleasure to announce that fire hall chefs from across Manitoba will be coming together to help raise funds for the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg by competing in the upcoming Five Alarm Firefighters Cook-Off on June 18th.

Last May/June my son Connor spent 30 days at the Health Sciences Centre in the Children's Hospital, and my wife and I basically camped out at the complex for the entire stretch. To say that we appreciated the efforts of the numerous nurses and specialists that helped our boy is a huge understatement. It was quite the experience for all of us - incredibly scary but at the same time fascinating and eye opening. When our union asked me to head chef the big media launch breakfast as well as take part as a celebrity judge, I was only happy to help.

Here's how the competition works. Fire Fighters are asked to submit recipes online. Once submissions close, a media campaign will urge the public to vote for their favourite recipe through an online voting system. The top five voted recipes will participate in a cook-off scheduled for June 18 th at the Winnipeg Fire Fighters Training Academy.

The winning recipe will be named the 2011 5 Alarm Fire Fighters Cook-Off Champion and receive a $1,000 prize package including electronics and gift certificates and runner ups will receive a $100 Gift Certificate for from RONA.

If you're a Manitoba firefighter and would like have fun with us in the kitchen and help out the Health Sciences Centre in the process, you can get more information about the contest here.

Feb 11, 2011

Well, I stuck my head out of the fire hall the other day and saw my shadow - actually I think it was my gigantic forehead  or 'fivehead' as my son Connor calls it because, 'it's too big to be a 4 Dad' that cast the formidable shadow. Anyway, as legend has it, that means 6 more weeks of comfort food. That's fine by me as that means more pot roasts, more hearty soups, more fired up chilis .....oh, I could go on... By the way, there are a number of free comfort food recipes in the ‘Sizzlin' Samplers' section for you to try before the Comfort Food Season ends and we light the burners to signal the official start of the Barbecue Season.

I received a very kind and complimentary email from Karen the other day, and you know, nothing is more rewarding to me than hearing that the recipes I've put together - with a little help from my friends at the hall - are working for people and helping them to build their culinary confidence in Kitchen Stadium. 

Karen reports that..

My friend Nadine bought me one of your cookbooks right before Xmas and I have to tell you we absolutely love it. We have made 9+ recipes from your book already and they are EASY and very, very tasty. I particularly like it that most ingredients are stuff I usually have in my cupboard. We went away to Hawaii for New Years and quickly grew tired of restaurant food. The day after we got home my husband made Derraugh Marinara and honestly, it was tastier than most meals we had in Hawaii .

Some of our other favorites already are Thai curried Coconut soup - awesome !!

Sweet and Sour Pork Steaks (they are going to be my next meal for a big crowd)

and the Salmon with the Lemon Dill Sauce...yummmmmmmmmm

My husband who really doesn't cook that much has made the majority of those 9 meals from your cookbook, and the success of each meal has really built his self esteem. It is like a domino effect...one success led to another and another. He hasn't cooked that much in years . I probably have 30 cookbooks, but I have to say, this is a real hit in our house and is our new favourite.

So thanks VERY much. Your ears must have been burning these past couple of weeks, because we can't stop raving about your recipes.

I'm always happy to help out Karen. Remember, if you have any feedback on the cookbooks please share it by sending me a note at jeff@jeffthechef.ca

Nov 10, 2010

Hey there, it's comfort food season and one popular ‘just can't get enough of' comfort food is pot roast. I have 3 pot roast recipes that I recommend and use, ‘Mom D's Pot Roast' and ‘Succulent Slow Cooker Pot Roast' from ‘Fire Hall Cooking,' and the ‘Oom Pah Pah Pot Roast' from ‘Where There's Food, There's Firefighters.' Each involves a different but equally effective cooking method. Mom D's uses a Dutch Oven on the stovetop, the ‘Oom Pah Pah Pot Roast' also utilizes a Dutch Oven, but it roasts Dutchie in the oven – making it two, two, two ovens in one! Meanwhile, the ‘Succulent Slow Cooker' uses……. Oh, how did you know?

No matter which recipe you decide to try, the result will be tender, delicious beef. You know what makes pot roast even better than its flavour alone? The braising process in these recipes is specifically designed for cheaper cuts of beef like my fave the boneless blade, so it'll keep costs in line. That's a big issue both at home and at the fire hall. The price is right and man it sure tastes great! That beef is practically falling apart, who needs a knife? Really, how can you go wrong?

So, why not check out the ‘Oom Pah Pah Pot Roast' as it's the new free feature recipe in the ‘Sizzlin' Samplers' section. If you're wondering what the Oom Pah Pah is all about, well here's a hint, Octoberfest. No, not lederhosen, we're talking beer. Yes beer, there's beer in that braise! Oh I know, it just keeps getting better.

While you're on the Sizzlin' Samplers' webpage, you can also reference back to other great comfort foods in the archives such as, ‘Sizzlin' Sheppard's Pie' and ‘Funky Fire Hall Chilli.' The winds are whipping up and the thermometer is dropping, I'd say that it's time to warm those weary, chilled bones with some down-home, comfort cooking. So come on, let's fire up your kitchen!

July 05, 2010

One sure sign of summer is the propane tank for the barbecue running dry. Why does it always have to happen when you have company over and you're half way through grilling supper? AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I know it doesn't just happen to me, because there always seems to be a line-up in front of the propane filler at the gas station during dinnertime.

One of my ultimate, favourite barbecue recipes is now being featured in the Sizzlin' Sampler section – we're talking ‘Fallin' Off the Bone Already Ribs' glazed with a so-easy-to-make killer ‘Whiskey Barbecue Sauce.' I can't tell you how many different rib recipes I've tried over the years in my search for tender, tasty rib perfection, but my search ended abruptly when I discovered this one. I've passed the recipe along to a host of people and everyone raves about it. It's tried and true both at the fire hall and at home, and it's such a snap to make. So, come on, fire up your Q and give these finger-lickin' ribs a go!

The Manitoba Fallen Firefighter Memorial Fund Raiser has come to a close. I'd like to thank all of the UFFW 867 membership for supporting my books and proudly using them to raise money towards establishing a memorial for our fallen brothers at the Manitoba Legislative Buildings. I would especially like to thank firefighter/Welfare Committee Secretary Rob Campbell for busting his butt coordinating book sales. Thanks as well to everyone who purchased or sold books on behalf of our union. It was an honour to have my books involved in a cause so dear to our hearts.

So, get out there and enjoy the fun and sun of summer, and don't forget to keep those propane tanks topped up!

January 20, 2010

Welcome to the New Year! I'm proud to say that the Manitoba Fallen Firefighter Memorial fundraiser continues to do very well as word about the cookbooks spread. Word of mouth is always the best kind of advertising because it's so genuine, and I so appreciate people telling their friends about the books.

As I look back over the last couple of years since Fire Hall Cooking launched, I've discovered that the best part about writing is the feedback I've received. To know that friends, fellow firefighters and the general public alike are behind my books, well, I'm just so truly humbled.

You know, I still find it funny. When someone says that they've picked up a copy of one of my books I'll ask, “so, have you tried any of the recipes?”

The answer that I hear more times than not is, “No, not yet, I'm still enjoying reading it.”

What? ………………………It's a cookbook!

“My wife has it on the nightstand. She laughs herself to sleep reading it.”

She reads cookbooks at bed time? I thought I was the only one who did that.

I had a retired firefighter call me to say, “Jeff I'm just so glad that you documented those fire hall stories in your book. I mean, we've all heard those stories at work, but no one had taken the time to write them down, until now.”

Of course the ultimate compliment is hearing that the books are helping people create great food by making the gourmet easy for them. Recently for example, Mike Wolfe told me, “hey, I was working at #2 station a couple of tours back and we had your Lemon Lime Lickin' Chicken. Cam their rookie made it. Everybody was raving about the meal. I told Cam , that's got to be the best chicken I've ever had!”

Mike went on to say that Cam felt like a star as he soaked up the praise from crewmates. I was so happy to hear that!

A few days ago our District Chief was telling me that his wife bought a number of books and sent them out as Christmas gifts. “Her sister in B.C. loves the book so much that she's showing it to friends and family and getting them to order the books online.”

Words like those are absolutely golden. So please, keep the feedback coming because believe me, it truly is the best reward. Remember, you can contact me directly at jeff@jeffthechef.ca Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you.

December 8, 2009

I really have to thank the many people involved in making the ongoing Manitoba Fallen Firefighter Memorial fundraiser such a success. The United Firefighters of Winnipeg Union have been incredible. They embraced the project, financed the up front cost of ordering, and are selling books out of their office. A big thank you goes out to Executive Board Member Tom Bilous for getting the fundraiser organized, and to Welfare Committee Secretary Rob Campbell for all of his hard work in coordinating book sales. Also, thanks to fellow firefighters and civilians alike who feel strongly about the cause, and have sold books and bought books to help out.

Losing another brother - and former crewmate of mine - Captain Jim McDonald to occupational cancer in November, only reinforces our need to build a memorial to honour the fallen, and to show families of the fallen how much we all care. The names of 40  Manitoba firefighters currently appear on the International Association of Fire Fighter's Memorial in Colorado Springs , and we believe that it's time that we paid them a fitting tribute here at home as well. It's the memory of great firefighters such as Jim McDonald, that we dedicate this cause. We do it with pride and we do it with respect. The plot of land has been set aside at the Manitoba Legislative grounds; we just need to raise the funds to get that memorial built!

We started the project with the goal of selling 1,000 books. At the time of this writing we've already sold over 600! The response has been excellent, and I've been humbled by how supportive people have been as many have purchased multiple copies. How's this for extreme? I still can't believe the generosity of Century 21 Realtor Jonathan Margolis. Jon has purchased 42 books and is giving them out as Christmas gifts to his clients to support the cause. Amazing! Thanks Jon. I hope you sell 10,000 homes this year!

So, thanks to everyone for your contribution, whether it is big or small, it is all very much appreciated.

As the holiday season approaches, I'd like to wish you and your family all the very best. Here's to a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010!

September 15, 2009

‘Where There's Food, There's Firefighters' has been released in bookstores and is available through online retailers worldwide. Here in Manitoba there's yet another outlet where you can pick up a copy. It's with great pride that I announce that the United Firefighters of Winnipeg – Local 867 is going to sell both of my cookbooks as a fundraiser and use 100% of the proceeds towards building the Manitoba Fallen Firefighter Memorial. The plot of land has been set aside at the Manitoba Legislative Grounds; the goal now is to raise the funds necessary to commission a fitting sculpture. I'm very proud in knowing that the books will help build this monument to honour the many brothers and sisters who gave their lives, whether on duty or due to the silent killers of heart disease and occupational cancers.

Keep in mind that if you have a project that your department, union, or organization is looking to fund, this a great, easy way to put one together. Simply buy the books at wholesale from our distributor and sell at retail to your members. You'll get the same deal that bookstores get, and you'll be able to put the profits towards your favourite cause. For more information check the Buy Books page.

The official book launch is set to happen at McNally's Grant Park in Winnipeg at 8 p.m. in the Prairie Ink Restaurant. For more details visit me in the Hot Zone.

Get this, Prairie Ink restaurant is going to be featuring 4 recipes from, ‘Where There's Food, There's Firefighters' on their menu from September 23 rd through October 6 th . Roasted Broccoli and Cheese Soup, Great Greek Lemon and Chicken Soup, Thai Chicken Wraps and Potato Chip Pickerel.

Yes, things are starting to heat up with the new book's release. As the nouveau cliché goes, it's all good!

July 13, 2009

The rumours are true, our new cookbook, ‘Where There's Food, There's Firefighters – More Surefire Recipes to Feed Your Crew' is on schedule and will be arriving on bookstore shelves in September. I'll tell you, it's sure been exciting watching our book take shape as all of its many elements come together. The reason I say ‘our book' is because it takes a real team of players each utilizing their unique talents for a book like this to happen, and I so appreciate the efforts of all those involved. Friends and firefighters who shared their recipes and hilarious fire hall stories with me, my buddy Captain Lee Harrison who shot the cover photography, Marial Shea who I shared lots of laughs with as she led me through the editing process, layout artist Pete Kohut, publishers Pat Touchie and Ruth Linka - a.k.a. our cookbook quarterback – publicity guru Emily Shorthouse and everyone over at Touchwood Editions who share the common goal of making a great cookbook for a reasonable price.

Speaking of the cookbook, you'll find over 170 new recipes that cover everything from brunches to lunches, soups to salads, and breads to desserts, plus a real cornucopia of supper selections offering culinary treats from around the world –barbecues, seafood, stir fries, comfort foods, eclectic foods, all kinds of stuff. Between recipes I'll share a selection of amusing true stories with you that depict the unique fun that we enjoy at the firehouse – think of it as your fire hall backstage pass. Be forewarned, this book is even chattier than the first, so if you were one of many who read, ‘Fire Hall Cooking' more like a novel than a standard cookbook, then I think you'll enjoy what we have in store.

So that's the scoop. I hope you have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

March 8, 2009

Hey there. I have to admit things have been a little slow lately on the news front as our second book is at Touchwood Editions awaiting the editing process. Oh, but when I get the first edit back I'll be going from 0-100 m.p.h. – sounds like a day at the fire hall come to think of it. One minute you're sitting reading the paper and the next you're fighting a raging fire. Yes, spring has almost sprung and it promises to be busy as we ready book 2 for its fall release.

I do have one news worthy item to report. Fellow Fire Chef Gale Osterman and I entered the Provincial Chilli Cook-off together and had a blast making chilli, kibitzing with the other chefs in the competition, and visiting with patrons at the Forks Market. As a bonus, we helped raise funds for the Manitoba Firefighter's Burn Fund in the process. If you'd like to try our prize winning formula, check out the ‘Funky Fire Hall Chilli' recipe in the Sizzlin' Samplers section.

That's it for now. Be good, be safe and keep firing up your kitchen – in a good way of course!


December 9, 2008

It's official. The ink has dried, and the deal is done. I submitted the manuscript for cookbook #2 to Touchwood Editions for consideration in September, and Pat Touchie, Ruth Linka et al have given it the proverbial thumbs up – not that ‘thumbs up' appears anywhere in the Proverbs. The word I've heard is that the book will be released in the fall of '09. My big goal for ‘Fire Hall Cooking' was to sell 3 copies worldwide. When we exceeded that lofty expectation, I reset my goal to having the success necessary to be asked to write a follow-up. I feel very blessed and humbled by the response I've received. Really, it's because of good folks like you that have spread the word that I've been given this opportunity. Thanks for your support; I truly couldn't have done it without you.

Thought I'd mention that I continue to write a bi-monthly article for Fire Hall Magazine. If you'd like to check out this fine publication you can do so at the Fire Hall Store. http://firehallstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=41_28

The upcoming issue is set to feature an article on the classic firehouse brew, ‘Funky Fire Hall Chilli.'

Before I go, I'd like to wish you and yours all the very best in the coming year. Count your blessings not your cash, fire those mutual fund statements through the shredder, laugh, love, and enjoy the ride, because with so much to be thankful for in our lives, we're bullish on 2009.


October 6, 2008

I received an e-mail the other day that sure had me smiling. I not only enjoyed its content, but also the style in which it was written. I wrote the firefighter back to ask if he would mind if I shared his message with you, and he was only happy to do so as long as I didn't use his name or the department he works for. As a rookie he didn't want to give the guys a reason to raz him. Can't say I blame him, as the universal protocol in our profession is that rookies are in the hall so that the vets have someone to bug. Yes, seniority has its privileges.

Hey Jeff

I'm a probationary firefighter and before I started my first shift my mom gave me your book as a present. I said thank you, gave it a quick look and then it was put away in my cupboard. My first few tours I was told I wouldn't be cooking as there is "too much training to do" but soon the time came when I had to step up to the plate and cook for the guys. I have to admit I was a little nervous because my cooking skills were...well ok I had no cooking skills. I remembered the book my mom gave me and took that to work. The first recipe I attempted was the Tequila Lime Chicken. I madly toiled away in the kitchen, clanging pots and pans, sweating profusely and covering the pages of your book in sauce, but I got it done....and it turned out awesome. The guys were blown away. To make a long story short, your book has become my bible and the most important training manual I have in the hall. I have made many recipes out of it and every time the guys are left satisfied and raving about the meal. And it is true, they seem to rip on me less and not drill me as hard as the other probies. The word has already spread to other shifts that our shift has a probie that makes good meals.

Thanks again, and I hope you make another cookbook.

I'll tell you, it sure feels good being able to help a fellow firefighter navigate his way around the fire hall kitchen. Before long I'll bet he'll be able to show me a thing or two about putting a meal together.

By the way, I recently submitted cookbook 2 to my publisher Touchwood Editions. When I hear back from them I'll let you know what's happening and when you can expect the book to be released. So please stay in touch and I'll talk to you soon.


July 13, 2008

It was such a nice sunny summer day that I decided to jump on my keyboard and surf the net. In my travels I discovered that ‘Fire Hall Cooking' has been entered in the Canadian Culinary Book Competition . Hmmm…I wonder who's responsible for that? Oh, I have a list of possible suspects - Pat Touchie, Vivian Sinclair, Ruth Linka and Emily Shorthouse over at Touchwood Editions; I'll bet they're the culprits.

There's quite a crop of nominees in the Canadian Cookbook, English Language category. Let's see there's David Adjay, Elizabeth Baird, Christine Cushing ……. I'm going to get my butt kicked! Oh well, it's an honour just to have our book nominated. Thanks Touchwood family, I sure do appreciate all the support and confidence that you have in our project. I'll do my best to make you proud.

So, how's the barbecue season going? I had to laugh, my neighbour recently ask me, "Jeff, I'm making your Beer Steaks and the recipe says that you need 2 beers, one for the marinade and one for yourself. The thing is, I'm having a bunch of people over for a barbecue so I'm doubling the recipe. Does that mean that I should have 2 beers? I mean, I want to be faithful to the recipe.”

The answer - yes, as long as you don't plan on operating any heavy machinery.

Speaking of beers and marinades, if you haven't done so already, you've got to check out the Beer Can Chicken recipe . It's the perfect summer sizzler!


April 20, 2008

I received this e-mail recently and it made my day.

Hi, Jeff--just wanted to send accolades your way. I run a busy B&B in Sparwood (B.C.) and because there are few restaurants here, I often cook dinner for hungry guests. I've used every one of your excellent recipes, and not one has failed me--even at 5.30 in the morning when I'm less than awake and aware. I love this cookbook! When are you writing a sequel?
Very best--and a very big thank you - Bobby Hutchinson (The Blue Collar B&B)

I wrote Bobby to thank her for taking the time to connect, and to let her know that I'm in the midst of writing a follow up to ‘Fire Hall Cooking.' I asked if she would mind if I posted her letter on this site, and she replied with her approval adding that,

‘The ironic and fascinating part of all this is that I'm a vegetarian, have been for 20 years or more--and so I don't taste any of your meat recipes, I just rely totally on you for how much seasoning to add. How's that for faith? And one of my dear guests has labelled me "The David Copperfield of Culinary Cuisine." I didn't tell him it's all because of Fire Hall Cooking. Apologies for that. (By the way, your Peaches n' Cream Pie is so wonderful I've started serving it for breakfast.)

Delighted to hear another book is on the way, it can't come soon enough for me.

Thanks Bobby, and no apologies necessary, you prepared the meals so you deserve the credit. That's what this cookbook is all about, sharing. Given that we firefighters are all about helping others, it certainly is rewarding to know that the recipes shared in ‘Fire Hall Cooking' are helping people to make good food and good times for friends, family, crewmates and yes, even customers.

Hmmmmmm …… Where was I here? ………. Oh yeah, I'd guess I'd better get back to writing that sequel.

JANUARY 19, 2008

What a nice surprise. I was surfing around the net recently and stumbled upon a review of ‘Fire Hall Cooking' at www.januarymagazine.com - a San Francisco based book review site that's been around since the dawn of the Internet. What I found particularly gratifying is that the reviewer took the time to get into the book, and concisely captured the book's character in their review. I've always laughed when I ask people if they've had a chance to try any of the book's recipes and they answer, ‘no not yet, I'm still enjoying reading it.' I know, it's kind of an odd response to a cookbook, one that certainly caught me off guard the first time I heard it, but one that I seem to hear more often than not. Anyway, the reviewer at January Magazine certainly ‘got' the idea behind the book, and I really appreciated their kind words. You can check it out if you'd like in rants and raves.

As for what I'm up to, well mostly trying to stay warm here during the comfort food season. Speaking of which, I have a column on fire hall soups featuring, ‘Mike's Popeye Soup' in the current issue of Fire Hall Magazine, and I've submitted an article discussing the ‘low and slow' roasting technique behind the ‘Whiskey Beef Brisket' recipe for an upcoming issue. Meanwhile, I continue to experiment on my families – at home and at the fire hall – as I work on new recipe ideas and stories for book 2. If you have feedback on our book or website to share, please feel free to do so. Just ring the ‘Contact Jeff' fire alarm located down at the bottom right hand corner of this page.

Before I go, I'd like to wish you and yours all the best in the coming year. Here's to making it great in 2008!

NOVEMBER 28, 2007