Brooklyn paramedic wins borough competition of 5 Alarm Cookoff for FDNY cooks
Jing Kong cooks up a spicy Asian specialty to advance in Daily News-sponsored contest
By KATHRYN KATTALIA
Published: October 30, 2011
Paramedic Jing Kong with one of his dishes, Chinese Pot Stickers With Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce
Photo: Linda Rosier, New York Daily News
For Brooklyn rescue paramedic Jing Kong, the sweet taste of redemption comes with a spicy kick.
After losing last year in the Brooklyn round of the Daily News FDNY 5 Alarm Cookoff, Kong, of Station 32 in Carroll Gardens, returned to heat things up in the kitchen with his winning dish — a zesty pork belly negimaki stuffed with pulled duck and served over chilled rice noodles.
“I did this last year and had a lot of fun,” Kong, 29, said. “I thought I would come back and do it again. I’m here for redemption.”
Kong will go on to compete against winning firehouse cooks from the other boroughs during an ultimate showdown of culinary prowess on the “Rachael Ray” show Nov. 3, to air on Nov. 7.
Up for grabs is a grand cash prize of $5,000, a $2,500 Key Foods gift card and a brand-new stove for the winner’s firehouse.
Firing up his burners at the New York City College of Technology, Kong went head to head against firefighter Joe Manto, 33, of Ladder Company 172 in Bensonhurst.
Each chef had an hour to whip up an original topnotch dish to be evaluated based on taste, creativity and presentation. In the end, it was Kong’s Asian-inspired recipe, served with a side of spicy homemade dipping sauce, that impressed judges most.
“It was hectic,” Kong said. “One hour goes by really fast.”
A whiz in the kitchen who has been conjuring up recipes since high school, Kong said he cooks for the guys at his station two to three times a week. He said they were the inspiration behind his dish.
“It’s like an Asian version of spaghetti Bolognese,” Kong said. “It’s a little different. We usually make a lot of pasta and spaghetti. The guys at work like their meat.
“They will eat pretty much anything,” he added.
At the stove next to him, Manto — or “Chef Joe” as he’s known at his firehouse — took out a tray of expertly hand-rolled crab cakes that he added to heaping plates of fettuccine with shrimp and pan-seared scallops.
His secret sauce, a tarragon cognac cream creation, kept judges guessing as they made their way through the kitchen, checking in with each chef.
“It’s one of my favorite recipes that I’ve come up with,” Manto said. “Other guys at the firehouse like it. The family at home likes it. I figured I can’t go wrong.”
At the judges table, Hospitality Management department chair Elizabeth Schaible of NYC College of Technology, manager and sommelier Joe Roken of Morton’s The Steakhouse, and Joe Morrone from P.C. Richards, a co-sponsor of the event, carefully presided over the dishes.
Roken said he was looking for a dish that had that special “wow factor,” while Schaible said it was ultimately Kong’s flavor combination that had her wanting more.
“I thought it was very creative,” Schaible said. “The flavors were all there. They sparked in my mouth.”Manto stood by his recipe, saying he wouldn’t change anything about his meal.
“At least I lost to a good dish,” Manto said. “They were two totally different beasts.”
Note: Station 32 was awarded a double refrigerator/freezer, a professional grade gas range with double oven, a dish washer, an over-the-range microwave oven courtesy of PC Richards and a full set of cookware from Rachael Ray.
Twelve members of Staion 32 attended the taping of the Rachael Ray Show and each received gift cards to Keyfood and PC Richards.
Jing Kong received a prize of $5,000 and $4,000 in gift cards to Keyfood and PC Richard. Chief Hannefy reported that the FDNY building department has been contacted to help remodel the kitchen and install the new appliances.
Read about the contest in the Daily News on Sunday, December 13. The contest will air on the Rachael Ray Show Monday, November 14th at 10 am.
Joseph Marrone, the manager of PC Richards at 42-99 Francis Lewis Blvd, Bayside, Queens, is offering a 15% discount to FDNYEMS members.