A firefighter encounters many situations that require decisive action, but one that influenced Waterloo firehouse chef Patrick Mathieu more than most was the simple question posed to him at mealtime: "are you gonna cook, or clean up?" The Firehouse Chef is an account of Mathieu's culinary experience as a Canadian firefighter, preparing meals for his fellow firemen that have kept them well-nourished for over 15 years.

With original recipes, as well as contributions by chefs from firehouses stretching from Newfoundland to British Columbia, this is a book that gets what it's...