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Meet our ChefsJoseph T. Bonanno Jr.New York City Fire DepartmentYears in service: 21
Joseph T. Bonanno Jr. is a 21 year veteran of The New York City Fire Department. He comes from a family of firefighters, both his father Joseph and brother Michael were firefighters. While a firefighter, Joe became certified as a fitness trainer and nutritionist. With his fitness and nutrition background, he prepared healthy meals for the firefighters he worked with, and later wrote a cookbook, The Healthy Firehouse Cookbook.
www.chefbonanno.com 
Michael D. PooleLieutenant, Seattle Fire DepartmentYears in service: 28
Michael D. Poole has been with the Seattle Fire Department for 28 years, since January of 1980. Michael was already an experienced cook, for large family functions and as a professional caterer. His first assignment as a firehouse cook came in 1982 at a busy downtown station. Over the years, Michael has won several awards for his recipes. In 2003, chef Poole completed Le Grande Diplôme in Cuisine and Pastry from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Academy in Paris, France. His specialties include He dreams about retiring to Santa Barbara and opening a small bistro.
www.chefmichaelpoole.com 
Mike "Suey" SulakFirefighter, Seattle Fire DepartmentYears in service: 11
Mike learned to cook from his father who is an immigrant from Hungary. Mike became really interested in cooking when he went off to college and began recreating some of his ethnic Hungarian dishes that his father would cook. Now in the fire service, Mike enjoys being the designated cook on his shift at his station. Mike feels it is important to provide a great tasting meal for the crew, as eating together around the "beanery" table is an important aspect of life together in the firehouse. "I get a great deal of satisfaction when my crew tells me: 'good eats Suey!'" When Mike is not cooking for his crew at work or his crew at home, he enjoys hunting and fishing and being involved in the lives of his wife and four kids.
Tara DanielsWoodland Fire Department, CaliforniaYears in service: 9
Tara learned her love of cooking from her mom at an early age. As she progressed through her time in the fire service, she continued to build on her knowledge of cooking by always trying new recipes, and working with a lot of great cooks. One of those great cooks is Woodland Engineer Walter Scruggs. After cooking together in the station for several years, the two entered the California State Firefighter Cook-Off, and walked away as State Champions. They have held that title for the last two years. In Summer 2010, Tara entered her Smokin' Pear Salad in the Regis and Kelly Coast to Coast Firefighter Cook-off, and won a chance to prepare it live on the show. After receiving the summer's highest audience rating, she returned as a finalist to compete in the final cook-off. She walked away in second place, but won't let that dampen her continued desire to always cook delicious meals with love.
Kipp RixFarmington Fire Department, New MexicoYears in service: 4
Kipp Rix had always wanted to be a firefighter, but had gotten sidetracked in the field of home improvement/home inspections. It was this career that led him to the door of Captain Mike Mestas with the Farmington Fire Department in New Mexico. Despite the fact that Kipp was no spring chicken, Captain Mestas encouraged Kipp to follow his dream...7 months later, at the age of 47, Kipp graduated from the Fire Academy with the dubious distinction of 'Oldest Guy!'
Another of Kipp's passions has always been cooking - Kipp employed his joy for cooking in the fire kitchen, leading to his cookbook, "Fire House Cook Book Farmington Favorites," which he promoted traveling through 7 states, where he shared his knowledge - and cooking - at 14 fire stations. In 2009 he opened a grilled foods-centric catering company, Bar R Catering; the same year, he was featured in DRAFT Magazine's Fire House Cooks column. www.fhpllc.net 
Jeff HardinCaptain, Long Beach Fire DepartmentYears in service: 11
Jeff has been employed by the Fire Department for 11 years. He loves cooking for family and friends, and enjoys trying out new cuisines.
Eddy L. MooreCaptain, CAL Fire, City of Rancho MirageYears in service: 18
Eddy L. Moore is a 36-year old Fire Captain who started his cooking career the same day that he started with the fire service in 1993. Eddy's expertise is in BBQing. Since day one he has been cooking meals for fire service personnel, family and friends. Eddy likes to be outdoors, cooking, and entertaining. His love for cooking comes with his love for the great tasting food. Eddy's working mottos are: "Practice like you play" and "Cook like you're starving." He loves to be in the kitchen, on or off the job!
Dave GerbothCaptain, San Diego City Fire-Rescue DepartmentYears in service: 15
Dave Gerboth is a Captain with the San Diego City Fire-Rescue Department. He has spent 15 years in the fire service throughout California. Dave cooks at the the firehouse and while entertaining family and friends. When he is not working or cooking at the firehouse he enjoys surfing and spending time with his wife and three children.
Eddie LeeFirefighter/Paramedic, Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentYears in service: 13
I have a 4 part approach to cooking: "lil this, lil of that," "eye candy," "mouth feel," and "sabor." I don't measure, so I don't bake. The colors, the plating - visually, it'll make you eager to eat it. The texture will be crisp when it must be, tender naturally and luscious as it should be. The flavors will be bold, precise and spicy like I like my women. I braise it slow 'n low, BBQ it hot...hot...hot, and I wok on the wild side. I demand freshness, prepare it with integrity to the ingredient, and serve it with a smile.
Bobby MinoueiFirefighter/Paramedic, Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department (San Francisco Bay Area)Years in service: 15
Aside from being a great firehouse chef Bobby also has a passion for music and owns a DJ company in Northern California, Baseline Productions.
www.baselineproduction.com 
Tony BocanegraEngineer, Long Beach Fire DepartmentYears in service: 10
Tony is an avid mountain climber and firehouse wiseguy.
Joe BartuccaSycuan Fire Department, San Diego CountyYears in service: 8
Joe started to learn how to cook at a young age from his dad who is full-blooded Italian. As he grew older he developed a greater love and skill for cooking. Before getting hired with the fire department Joe worked in a number of fine dining restaturants. This experience gave him a greater appreciation for food and preparing it well.
Mike LortonFirefighter, Long Beach Fire DepartmentYears in service: 5
Although he learned to cook at a young age, his love for cooking wasn't realized until he became a firefighter. Aside from providing a unique place to live and work, the fire service presents a number of challenges and rewards that cooking at home does not. These include preparing meals that are complex enough to make them unique but also healthy, on time and under budget. He owes many of his recipes to his loving wife Nicole, his mother Suzanne and mother-in-law Alice. He is the proud father of two boys: Luke (age 6) and Jacob (age 4).
Sean Van SluisEngineer / Paramedic, Santa Monica Fire DepartmentYears in service: 18
Sean has worked full time for two different departments. He currently holds the rank of engineer / paramedic in the Santa Monica Fire department. He has worked for the City of Santa Monica for 10 years.
George RojasCaptain, CAL-FIRE/Riverside County FireYears in service: 12
Captain George A. Rojas has been employed by Cal Fire for 12 years and is currently assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team in Riverside County. Before his promotion to Captain on the Hazmat Team, he held the rank of Engineer in Battalion’s 4 and 13. He was a firefighter in San Diego for 6 years before transferring to Riverside County. He loves to play hockey, run and cycle. To keep up with his past times he loves to eat and prepare balanced meals. He is a big fan of Bobby flay, Barefoot Contessa and Giada de Laurentiis.
Jakawa JacksonCaptain -PIO, Long Beach Fire DepartmentYears in service: 20
Captain Jakawa Jackson has been with the service for 20 years.
Dave ValadezFirefighter, CAL-FIRE / Riverside County Fire Dept. Hazardous Materials Response TeamYears in service: 7
Dave enjoys working out hard and prepares meals that help provide him with the proper nutrition he needs to fuel his workouts.
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