U.S. Marine Corps – Killin’ & Grillin’ since 1775
Last year 100 US Marines set aside their rifles and Kevlars and applied their competitive spirit to a battle at the BBQ. The winner: four worthy charities that directly benefit Marines and their families: Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House, Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, and Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.
The competition spawned a book that filled an obvious gap in the foodie community: “Command of the Grill: A Salute to Steak.” A Marine cookbook? Yes, but where’s the recipe for shit on a shingle? Most of the recipes in the book were selected from 10 separate “Command of the Grill” grilling semi-final competitions held at Marine Corps bases across the country, including MCB Camp Pendleton and MCB Quantico. The winners of those semi-finals were to compete in the “Command of the Grill” finals and cookbook launch event during this year’s Fleet Week in New York City.
To qualify for the semi-finals, Marines were required to submit an original grilling recipe and explain in 50 words or less why their recipe is the best and why they should win. At the semi-final events, each Marine grilled two New York strip steaks and a panel of judges chose one winner based on creativity of the entry essay, visual appeal, and the taste of their steak.
The book showcases the winning recipes, honorable mentions, profiles of the Marine competitors, celebrity Marine recipes and a rigorous “Steak Boot Camp.” Capt. Eric Dominijanni’s Disco’s Hot and Tangy New York Strip Steaks is one of the recipes covered in the book. “Capt. D” has been cooking since he was a child. While stationed in Iraq, he was known to make paella for his troops in the back of his Assault Amphibian Vehicle. “I may have had to fight like a barbarian, but I didn’t have to eat like one,” Dominijanni said. Sponsored by Weber, the goal is to raise more than $500,000. All proceeds will go to the above charities.
The winner of the competition will be crowned National Commander of the Grill and take home a prize package worth more than $5,000. The prize package includes a new luxury Weber gas grill, and a grilling lesson and dinner for him/her and 10 of their Marine buddies — at their U.S. Marine Corps base — with chef and best-selling author Jamie Purviance.
Check out Command of the Grill to find out more information on the book and how to get one of your own. Yankees suck!
Semper Fi
Thanks for profiling this book! I’m going to go through the steak boot camp and try all of the recipes. Yankees suck!
(Screaming at you one inch from your face) DO YOU THINK YOU PACK THE METAL TO SURVIVE MY BELOVED STEAK BOOT CAMP !?!?!?!?
Hey – I married a Ho (no, really) anyway, I also have those SoCal connections and love food. I write a column for Suite101.com (http://gourmetfood.suite101.com) and a personal blog (http://leatherdistrictgourmet.blogspot.com)in which I highlighted the Command of the Grill cookbook. Writing again this evening in the other venue on it and just reaching out to others to join in the discussion. Stop by and drop a note, share a recipe, let me know what you think of the show!
-Jacqueline (an AF brat and big fan of grilling)