Marblehead Fire Department is hosting its 14th annual Cooking For A Cure event Saturday at Danversport Yacht Club at 161 Elliott St.
This event brings North Shore fire departments together for a buffet-style cook-off, and there are no mandates as to what each fire department may cook. Event organizer and former Marblehead firefighter Tim Doane said the food is “a little bit of anything and everything.”
“The Swampscott Fire Department two years ago roasted a pig in the parking lot of Danversport Yacht Club. The Stoneham Fire Department does a corn souffle that is absolutely delicious,” Doane said. “There’s some chilies and soup. Last year, the Beverly Fire Department and the Marblehead Fire Department actually did roast beef three-way sandwiches — regular roast beef with mayo sauce, cheese, and onion — and that was a great hit. It’s just anything they like to do.”
The fire departments confirmed to be participating this year are Beverly, Danvers, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem, Stoneham, Swampscott, and Topsfield. In addition to having some local police chiefs judge the cook-off, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker was asked to be part of the judging staff this year.
“I feel that they hold up justice, so they’ll be just and fair in their judging,” Doane joked.
All proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a nonprofit that “uses every dollar we raise wisely to ensure it has the greatest impact in the fight to end muscular dystrophy.”
According to Doane, the money raised helps fund a summer camp for kids with muscular dystrophy. He added that he has attended some camps over the years, and “because of the research and the development of new drugs, I’ve actually seen kids get up out of their wheelchairs and be able to walk.”
“The marriage of fire service and muscular dystrophy, it all started in the city of Boston,” Doane said. “There was a gentleman for the Boston Fire Department who had a neighbor who needed to buy a wheelchair or something or van for his child. I don’t remember the whole story, but it all started in Boston. They started doing the boot drive to make money for this family who lived near the firehouse, and it just took off.
“It’s been great to partner with muscular dystrophy. People ask why we choose muscular dystrophy, and I don’t know, it’s just a perfect marriage.”
Doors open at 6 p.m., and food will be served from 7-9 p.m. There will be raffle prizes, a cash bar, and all-you-can-eat samples. For information on how to reserve a table or get tickets, contact Doane at (978) 873-0604 or any of the fire departments involved. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $40/each.
