Retired Rockford Firefighter, Michael Riley, has written a new cookbook now available on Amazon. Cook & Ladder Company No. 1: A Firehouse Cookbook includes time tested recipes from the author and fellow firefighters as well as a “behind the scenes” look at what fire departments do, how they do it, and why.

“I created my cookbook after having civilians stop me in the grocery store to ask what I was cooking and how to make it, as well as other firefighters asking me how to make their favorite dish of mine.  I had the good fortune to work with some of the best cooks Rockford Fire has ever seen, and took everything I learned from them to create my own style of cooking – from scratch with shortcuts where it won’t affect the final product,” said author and creator, Riley.

It’s been long known that firefighters, who cook for themselves while on duty, are amongst some of the nation’s best home cooks. They are also resourceful in making things easier to accommodate their hectic schedules. “As much as I enjoy cooking, I don’t like to make things that are overly difficult, so my cookbook is well suited for any ability level of cook,” said Riley. 10% of net proceeds will be donated to Fire Department Coffee Foundation, which supports groups that help firefighters and first responders who are injured on the job, mentally or physically, or who are facing other serious health challenges. “There are millions of cookbooks out there, so to separate mine from the rest, I also included a sneak peek at the lives of firefighters and the work we do.”  The book is available on here on Amazon.