Mark your calendars: WCTC to heat up winter with second annual Smoke & Sizzle Firehouse Chef Cook-Off

"Cooking is a large part of firehouse culture. Firefighters cook together and eat together, which strengthens the connections they have with each other and helps them through tough times. The Smoke & Sizzle allows the firefighting professionals to share about that culture with the larger community." -- Courtney Hull, Fire & EMS associate dean

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025) — Waukesha County Technical College is set to crank up the heat this February with the return of the Smoke & Sizzle Firehouse Chef Cook-Off. The event will take place on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the College’s culinary kitchens and The Classic Room, WCTC’s on-campus training restaurant.

Following the success of the inaugural event, this year’s competition is expanding to include a new, sweet category. Six firehouse chefs will face off in a cooking battle featuring savory dishes, while four firehouse bakers will compete to present the best dessert. The event serves as a friendly competition to determine who holds the top culinary bragging rights among local first responders, while simultaneously raising funds for WCTC students in Fire/EMS and Culinary programs. WCTC students also get to be a part of the experience as they help with serving and event cleanup.

“The Smoke & Sizzle Firehouse Cook-Off serves a dual purpose,” said Angie Todd, associate dean in the School of Business. “It unites two unexpected programs (Culinary and Fire & EMS) for a unique collaborative experience, while also bringing together local fire departments for a friendly competition that celebrates their remarkable community service and our everyday heroes.”

Tickets are now on sale. Cost is $50 per person, which includes two drink tickets and tastings of all >>sweet and savory dishes carefully crafted by the competing first responders. Celebrity judges will be on site to sample the entries and award honors to the "Top Chef" and "Top Baker."

The event highlights an often overlooked but vital aspect of life at the fire station: the camaraderie of cooking and sharing a meal.

"Cooking is a large part of firehouse culture," said Courtney Hull, associate dean in the School of Protective & Human Services. "Firefighters cook together and eat together, which strengthens the connections they have with each other and helps them through tough times. The Smoke & Sizzle allows the firefighting professionals to share about that culture with the larger community."

The inaugural event in 2025 featured eight teams serving diverse dishes ranging from hot honey sliders, empanadas, chili and more. That event hosted around 80 attendees and served roughly 800 tasting plates. In total, around $3,500 was raised to support student programming.

Due to limited seating, this event is expected to sell out quickly. To purchase tickets, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2art29v6.