Firehouses Compete in Cook-off in Red Hook

Firefighters Nick Miller and Joe Costa from Engine 202/Ladder 101
(who won the Fairway Firefighters Food Face-Off) prepare ribs for the crowd.

Members from four firehouses in Brooklyn put on their aprons and got their spatulas ready for a Fairway Firefighters Food Face-Off on Sept. 30, at the store’s Red Hook location.

The competitors included Firefighters Jim Gervasi and Frank Riggio from Engine 228, Firefighters Nick Miller and Joe Costa from Engine 202/Ladder 101, Firefighters Rob Wieser and Dean Coutsouros from Engine 220/Ladder 122, and Firefighters Brian Kantrowitz and Tom McDonagh from Engine 279/Ladder 131.

With the Verrazano Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, firefighters grilled their favorite burger, chicken and ribs recipes for six judges, including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

All of the competitors joined the firefighters from Engine 202/Ladder 101 with the winning trophy.

After a close race, the members of Engine 202/Ladder 101 received first place honors. They received a $500 gift card from Fairway and a trophy for their win.

Official FDNY Foundation shopping nights will be held at the Harlem Fairway store on Sept. 30 and at the Red Hook Fairway on Oct. 28, both from 4 to 10 p.m. During the event, 10 percent of all store sales will benefit the Foundation.

The FDNY Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the New York City Fire Department, raises funds to benefit fire safety education and firefighter training.

Winning rib recipe used by Firefighter Nick Miller from Ladder 101:

Starts with a dry rub consisting of equal parts:
Brown sugar
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cumin powder
Chili powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper

The dry rub goes on the ribs before they're smoked.

Then make a sauce consisting of equal parts:
Apple cider vinegar
Apple juice
Diced onion
Chopped garlic

Reduce the sauce over heat. The ribs are then basted in the sauce before they’re grilled over a mesquite wood chip.