By Frank E. Vaerewijck, “The Firehouse Foodie”

As the fire prevention officer for my department, part of my responsibility is public affairs and public education. My crew and I often give tours to our visitors at the station. Many times, we are asked about where we sleep, where we eat, and (the most popular question) what we eat. During the tours, we show our guests around and answer all their questions; no matter how many times we’ve been asked. Open houses and group tours are a way to spread the news about fire prevention and safety as well put fresh information in the minds of our citizens for a safer community.

Justin Fryday from Three Oaks Elementary School and member of Pack 350 Den 11 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been to fire/rescue stations many times on tours and visiting his mom. Justin’s mom is an EMT with Princess Anne Courthouse Station 5/21 in Virginia Beach. Justin enjoys cooking with his mother and nana. He knows the value of fresh food and, with his family, Justin enjoys mixing his “lip-smacking pot pie.”

Thanks Justin, Mom, and Nana for helping “Bring the Firehouse Home.”

Justin’s Pot Pie

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pie crust
1/3 cup margarine
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups chicken broth (you can use canned broth, but mom makes her own)
2/3 cups whole milk (do NOT use skim milk; it doesn’t taste as good)
2 to 3 cups of cooked chicken (mom said if you want to shorten the time,
buy a roasted chicken from the store)
2 cups frozen mixed veggies, thawed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. In medium saucepan, melt butter and cook down onions for about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.
4. Gradually add chicken broth and milk.
5. Stir constantly until bubbly and thick.
6. Add chicken and veggies.
7. Put in oven-safe deep-dish pie pan.
8. Cut pie crust into strips and criss-cross on top.
9. Bake at 425° for 30 to 40 minutes.
10. Let sit for 5 minutes. Dish out and enjoy!

Frank E. Vaerewijck has had a passion for the fire service that has spanned 20 years. He has been a volunteer and career firefighter and is currently a firefighter/EMT with the Manassas (VA) Volunteer Fire Company. He has passed on his passion for the fire service through instruction and mentorship. That same passion he has for the fire service is shared with his love of food. In 2006, Vaerewyck won an Iron Chef-style competition sponsored by a radio station in Richmond, Virginia. That is where he also furthered his education by attending a Culinary Arts Program. As the Firehouse Foodie, he has been compiling recipes to be included in a cookbook that will give others the opportunity to see their hometown heroes not just as firefighters, but as the firehouse chefs they truly are.