
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 19th annual 50 Men Who Cook a great success!
Special thanks to our chefs, attendees, volunteers, event committee, sponsors & donors.
Save the date for the 20th annual event on August 10, 2024!
50 Men Who Cook 2023 Chef Winners
Appetizer
1st Place: Wesley Lyons | Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Dill Pickles
2nd Place: Brent Olson | Island Vibe Carnitas
3rd Place: John Butts | Beef Tenderloin Crostini
Side Dish
1st Place: Craig & David Brannstrom | Seafood Chowder
2nd Place: Salvador Lopez | Mini Beef Birria Taquitos
3rd Place: Jake Warner | Cornbread Casserole
Entree
1st Place: Ed Valdez | Ed’s Famous Barbacoa Tacos
2nd Place: Trenton DeVito | Chicken Poblano Soup
3rd Place: Mike Verbic | Hawaiian Pulled Chicken with Slaw
Dessert
1st Place: Steven Sulaver | Dessert Truffles
2nd Place: Jeremy Koranda | Chocolate Éclair Cake
3rd Place: Ted Rosenow | Cherry Delight
Professional
People’s Choice Award: Steve Tallitsch | Bourbon Burnt Ends
1st Place: Jacob Breen/Tapa La Luna | Crawfish Spring Roll
2nd Place: Cole Hookham/Obscurity Brewing & Craft Mead | Brisket Slider with Chimichurri
3rd Place: Steve Tallitsch | Bourbon Burnt Ends
Learn More
What: CASA’s signature fundraising event, 50 Men Who Cook, is held annually in August at NIU’s Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. Join us for the 20th annual event on August 10, 2024! The evening features 50+ men from the community who bring their favorite dish for guests to taste and vote for their top choice in each category! Guests will also enjoy a cash bar, entertainment and raffle prizes, all for a good cause.
Where: NIU’s Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Who: 50 Men Who Cook is open to the public. Invite your friends and family along!
Why: To raise money to support CASA’s work of advocating for abused children who have experienced abuse or neglect in DeKalb County. Who Benefits?
When: August 10, 2024, 6-9 PM
How: Ticket information will be available early summer 2024.
For questions or more information, email 50menwhocook@casadekalb.org or call 815-895-2052.
Thank you to our 2023 Corporate Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor

Five-Star Sponsor
Top Chef Sponsors
Iron Chef Sponsors
Assistant Chef Sponsors
Blumen Gardens | Heartland Bank and Trust | Jeff Keicher State Representative | Resource Bank | Rose Law | St. James & Sons Powerwashing | The Suter Company | Sycamore Dentistree
Participating Sponsors
Curran Contracting Company | State Farm – Brian Scholle | Stoddard State Farm | Swedberg Electric | Tom Sparks Auto
In-Kind, Raffle & Live Auction Donors
94.9 WDKB | Banner Up Signs | Eric Biletzky | Bill’s Olive Oil | Blackhawk Moving & Storage | CASA Board of Directors | Dana’s Day Spa | Dave Soderstrom Photography | DeKalb Park District | Embracing Grace Photography | Hy-Vee | Mary E. Stevens Trust | MVP Sports Bar | OLT Marketing | Provident Direct | Schrock Media | Christy Sharp/The Treehouse Pie Company | Sharp Craftworks | The Shepard Family | Soft Water City | Sycamore Golf Club | Sycamore Key Club | VAC | WLBK Radio
“It’s just such a worthy cause and it’s great to see the community come out and support it.” – 50 Men Chef