50 Men Who Cook – CASA DeKalb County, Inc.

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.