Bring Your Appetite to Will County's 'Men Who Cook' Competition

Photos: State’s Attorney James Glasgow with cooking members of the Wilco FOOLS at the 2014 ”Men Who Cook;” Marty Shanahan flips pizza dough at last year’s event; hungry crowds gather around the chefs’ tables at the 2014 “Men Who Cook.” Credit: Submitted by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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By Shannon Antinori (Patch Staff)

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is inviting area residents to save the date and come hungry to the seventh annual “Men Who Cook” competition.

This year’s event is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Pipefitters Training Center Local 597 at 10850 187th Street in Mokena.

About 50 local men from right here in Will County will dish up their favorite homemade recipes for guests at the annual fundraiser for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit agency that helps children who are the victims of sexual and physical abuse.

Participating cooks will offer bite-sized samples of their best home-cooked meals. Guests can vote for their favorite dish in four categories: appetizers; side dishes; entrées; and desserts.

The cost is $40 per person and $75 per couple for adults, and $10 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids ages 5 and under can attend the event for free.

“‘Men Who Cook’ gets bigger and better and more popular each year,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said in a news release. “Our talented cooks bring their best to the table, and they really crank up the heat in a fun and friendly competition ... The variety of dishes is also amazing. No matter what you crave – from fire-grilled pizzas to cheesy chicken enchiladas; from home-style beef and beans to fancy French fare – we’ve got it all.”

WJOL’s Lynne, Mary and Natalie will return to the “Men Who Cook” Red Carpet to welcome guests. Jackson, the Children’s Advocacy Center’s popular Paws 4 Kids therapy dog, will have his own table. There’s even fun for youngsters at the “Men Who Cook” Kids Corner.

Glasgow founded the non-profit Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to improve the investigation of child sexual abuse cases. The center’s professionally trained and compassionate staff performs forensic 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 predators, the state’s attorney’s office said in a news release.

Tickets for ”Men Who Cook” will be available at the door or can be purchased online at www.menwhocook.info.

There are still spots available for men who are interested in cooking. For information, call (815) 774-4565.