Men Who Cook's Most Successful Event Ever? 17 Photos From Jim Glasgow's Children's Advocacy Fundraiser

Illinois' Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey was among the more than 1,000 people who frequented the JJC Event Center.

By John Ferak, Patch Staff

Oct 17, 2026 9:13 PM CDT | Updated Oct 17, 2026 9:31 PM CDT

The Channahon Police Department had quite the group of characters participating in Saturday evening's annual Men Who Cook event sponsored by Will County State's Attorney JIm Glasgow to benefit the Will County Children's Advocacy Center that he founded. (Image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor )

JOLIET, IL — More than 1,000 people spent their Saturday night sampling a wide array of food inside the Joliet Junior College's spacious Event Center as Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center invited the community to bring their appetites for the 16th Annual Men Who Cook, presented by CITGO.

The popular annual fundraiser brings together amateur and professional cooks from throughout the community who will serve samples of their favorite appetizers, entrées and
desserts—all while competing for the votes and bragging rights of those in attendance.

Even Republican candidate for governor, Darren Bailey, attended the event, posing for photos with Joliet's Diane Harris, the candidate for Illinois Secretary of State and Jim Reilly, the Republican candidate for Will County Sheriff.

"Every child deserves to feel safe, to be heard, and to know that what happened to them does not define their future," Glasgow remarked in a press release promoting the event. "Since I established the Children's Advocacy
Center in 1995, the Center has stood beside children and families during some of the darkest moments of their lives, giving them a path toward hope, healing and justice. Men Who Cook is more than a great night out—it is our community coming together to tell these children: you are not alone, we believe you, and we are here for you."

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center recognized CITGO as the presenting sponsor of the 16th Annual Men Who Cook and thanked the many community partners whose generous support helps make the event possible, including WJOL, Roc City Bar & Grill, ExxonMobil, WM, D'Arcy, Sterk Family Law Group, Lockport Woman's Club, Silver Cross Hospital, Ozinga, Harrah's Joliet, Czerkies Properties, Mayor Keith Ogle, Pink Heals Joliet Area Chapter, 101 Mobility, Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties, Earthrise Energy, Melissa Meyers and Team Janine – CrossCountry Mortgage and the list of sponsors continues to grow.

Joliet Patch produced a few Facebook Live videos from the occasion.

Here's my photo gallery from the night:

Image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor