Manhattan Firefighter Khalid Baylor Edges Out Restaurant Chefs To Take Home First Prize In The 11th Annual Iron Skillet Cook Off

Firefighter Khalid Baylor from Ladder 14 in Manhattan took the title of Iron Skillet Champion last night with his crowd-pleasing Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles at the 11th annual Iron Skillet Cook Off hosted at Crimson. The event, sponsored by World Cares Center (WCC) was a fun, lively celebration of the emergency response community. 100% of the proceeds from the night's events support World Cares Center's training programs for emergency responders, community leaders, and everyday citizens including seniors and youth to prepare them for emergency situations. Last night, over 500 guests joined a panel of celebrity judges including radio/television personality Valerie Smaldone who served as emcee for the night, Council member Peter F. Vallone Jr., and CW11's Sukanya Krishnan as well as Grant Marshal, NJ Devils, Stevie Brown, NY Giants, Thomas Huff, Washington Red skins, and Freeman McNeil, NY Jets. Guests enjoyed tastings by five pairs of rival firehouse and restaurant chefs. Last night's second place winner was firefighter Pete Lazarcheck (Engine 291, Ladder 140 in Queens) who made Skirt Steak with Burgundy Cream Sauce; Pete's restaurant competitor, Matt Gibson from Legends Hospitality at Yankee Stadium, took third place for his rendition of the skirt steak dish. A live auction with items as varied as sports memorabilia, international trips, and entertainment packages, was a huge success as guest judges served as auctioneers.

At last night's cook off, three "everyday heroes" were honored for their quick, ready response in saving two young girls in rough water off Long Branch, NJ: Queens Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. and his two brothers, Perry Vallone and Paul Vallone.

A New York tradition among the emergency response community, the Iron Skillet Cook Off is World Cares Center's way of thanking their family of supporters. Lisa Orloff, Founder and Executive Director of World Cares Center said, "The Iron Skillet Cook Off, represents what we see in any crisis situation, people of all walks of life coming together to do good. The Iron Skillet Cook Off it is a celebration, in disaster response it is the visceral goodness in people that World Cares Center ensures is applied in a safe, effective and coordinated manner."
World Cares Center, formed in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 is a critical organization for the emergency response community, providing training programs for emergency managers and community leaders based on their own curriculum called "Leading and Managing" that helps train leaders to organize volunteers and individuals in times of crisis. WCC also trains grassroots organizations and individual citizens with specialized emergency preparedness programs for seniors and youth. WCC has been called in many times since its inception to coordinate relief efforts and provide training to international volunteers and emergency personnel in Haiti and Japan as well as helping with relief efforts closer to home, most recently in New Jersey.

The Chef Match-ups were as follows:
- Joe Russo, Ladder 156, Brooklyn v. Diane DiMeo, DiMeo Restaurant Group
Smothered Pork Chops and Quinoa Medley
- Ron Venner, Engine 42, Bronx v. Mike Carrino, Pig & Prince Restaurant
Spicy Apple Pork with Potato Pancake & "Brusselkraut"
- Pete Lazarcheck, Engine 291, Queens v. Matt Gibson, Legends Hospitality at Yankee Stadium
Skirt Steak with Burgundy Cream Sauce, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans & Mushrooms
- Khalid Baylor, Ladder 14, Manhattan v. Dino Redzic, Uncle Paul's Pizza New York
Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles
- Robert Marolla, Engine 165, Staten Island v. Jack Koumbis, Assembly Steakhouse
White Lightning Surf & Turf

Iron Skillet 2012 Winners:
1st pla