Mokena Gets Cooking: 'Men Who Cook' Comes to Mokena

On Sunday, local men who love to cook will showcase their best dishes for the public to sample and vote on, all for a good cause.

The immensely popular Men Who Cook fundraiser will take place in Mokena at the Pipefitters Local 597 Training Center on March 26 this year as the event's third annual outing promises to outgrow its previous locations in Joliet.

Men Who Cook is the main annual fundraiser for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit organization that helps streamline investigations of child abuse.

Last year, the event raised $23,500 for the center, nearly doubling the amount raised in 2009, said Chuck Pelkie, director of crime prevention and communications at the Will County State's Attorney's office.

“We estimate that there were in excess of 400 people there last year," Pelkie said. "The cooks are regular guys, and we end up talking about it and a lot of people come out to cheer us on."

The Children's Advocacy Center was created in 1995 by Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow. In an attempt to make investigations of abuse easier on the children involved, the center conducts one interview with victims in a comfortable, neutral setting using non-suggestive questions, Pelkie said. Prior to its inception, children often had to provide separate statements to multiple entities: the police, counselors, hospitals and Department of Children and Family Services.

The center also makes referrals and connects victims and their families with the appropriate social services, and operates by way of grants, private donations and fundraisers like Men Who Cook.

“The work that they do at the center is serious, heart-breaking work,” Pelkie said. “The dichotomy is in the way we raise funds at such a fun event.”

The cooks provide all of the ingredients themselves and tickets cost $35 per person or $60 per couple. The proceeds from ticket sales go to the non-profit, the community gets the opportunity to sample the wares of 50 local chefs, and everybody wins.

Tom Grotovsky of Mokena has cooked for the event since its beginning. Last year, his dish was a Cajun andouille sausage with chicken and peppers, and this year he's planning to prepare shrimp with tequila, lime and garlic.

“The people who go say they had such a good time because it's casual and you're not in a stuffed shirt. Some of the guys go all out and decorate, and it's all really, really good food,” Grotovsky said. “Where else can you go for $60 a couple?”

Mokena Mayor Joe Werner is still considering whether or not to cook. While he does plan to attend the event, he's not sure whether the couple of soup recipes he has in mind are “showcase quality,” but he is nevertheless pleased with the choice of venue.

“I think it's a great event,” Werner said. “I was there last year for the first time and I thought this would be great if we could get that in Mokena.”

Tickets will be available at the door or in advance through the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, 815-774-4564. Visit the fundraiser's Facebook page here.