Cooking with the Firehouse Chef

Book excerpt: Funny and engaging, deeply personal but down-to-earth, Cooking with the Firehouse Chef marries more than 100 personal recipes with the compelling story of the late fireman-chef Keith Young of the New York Fire Department. A revered firefighter, Young was also a lauded chef who won numerous television challenges, including a chicken cacciatore cookoff of an episode of “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” on the Food Network and two championship titles on “Chopped.” With varied recipes that are perfect for casual gatherings, barbecues, and busy weeknights, Young’s culinary repertoire features American favorites with crowd-pleasing starters like Manhattan clam chowder, garlic bread, and ceviche; flavorful lunch fare such as vegan hummus sandwiches and beef chili; hearty entrees and pastas like filet mignon, chicken marsala, and penne alla vodka; and classic desserts such as strawberry cheesecake and no-bake rice pudding. The delicious recipes are paired with stories and images from the firehouse, bringing Keith’s firehouse stories and cooking prowess to life.