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Recipe Rescue: July 2011
Firefighters have built a positive reputation in their communities.
July 6, 2011
By Patrick Mathieu
Firefighters have built a positive reputation in their communities.
Not only do we respond to citizens during their times of need, but also we stand by our duty of giving back in the form of charity work. As firefighters, we donate different forms of expertise and countless hours of our time to ensure our reputations as community servants stand strong. From food and toy drives during holiday seasons, to car washes, fashion shows and charity barbecues, we often go above and beyond for causes that are close to our hearts.
Waterloo Fire Rescue has had tremendous success auctioning our culinary skills for charities and offering gourmet dinners at the fire hall. The day often includes an entertaining tour of the station, with the opportunity for winning bidders to try on our gear and climb aboard the trucks, and generally culminates with a famous fire-hall meal. This allows citizens to catch a glimpse of the fire-hall lifestyle. Our adult guests often react much the same as children do when they visit our fire hall; their faces light up as they experience a day in the life of a firefighter. They are often delighted to see the fire-hall camaraderie, especially when all members of our team pitch in to create the meal and make their stay special.
Waterloo’s reputation for these dinners now precedes us, as guests have spread the word throughout the community. We have been fortunate to generate more than $10,000 in just a few years by welcoming the public into our fire house and treating them to something special for dinner. The big question is always what to serve our guests. In most cases, these individuals have paid large sums of money in support of charities and we definitely want to wow them, so we pull out all the stops, including those fancy, special-occasion recipes. Input from your guests about the menu gives the event a personalized touch and will ensure that the winning bidders have the best possible experience. Depending on your crowd, you could host a backyard barbecue, perhaps an all hors d’oeuvres menu, or even an ethnic-inspired theme, such as Thai or French. Let your creative juices flow and show your guests that your talents as a firefighter exceed the fire ground. The worthy charities benefit from all the hard work in the end. Before you know it, your community will be wishing your fire house were open for dinner every night.
Here are two of my recipes that have wowed our guests and kept them bidding year after year.
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This delicious dish of Bordeaux-braised beef shanks, paired with a duck a l’orange salad, is a tasty gourmet combination sure to wow your guests. (Photo by Patrick Mathieu) |
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Patrick Mathieu is an 11-year veteran of Waterloo Fire Rescue. He has won several cooking competitions and has helped raise thousands of dollars for charities by auctioning gourmet dinners at the fire hall. Contact him at patrickmathieu78@yahoo.ca
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