Excerpts from theDailyHerald.com:
As he heads into retirement, Lake Zurich Deputy Fire Marshal John Bzdusek was hailed for improving education efforts and community involvement in the village.
Bzdusek, an Army veteran, spent about 27 years at the Park Ridge Fire Department where his culinary skills were incorporated into his fire service career. He was a firehouse chef when he worked as a firefighter/paramedic and inspector in Park Ridge before shifting to Lake Zurich in 2004. In addition to fire marshal, he was an inspector and public educator in Lake Zurich.
“Hopefully, in the last 11 years, I’m leaving (Lake Zurich) a little more fire-safe than when I came here,” said Bzdusek, a Des Plaines resident. “And that is what we wanted to do.”
Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton praised Bzdusek for his work and volunteerism that included the village’s special events committee. He said Bzdusek regularly visited kindergarten and first-grade students at Lake Zurich Unit District 95.
While not in the firehouse on a daily basis in Lake Zurich, he still worked food into his job in the village. Poynton said it was only natural for Bzdusek to become a major influence in the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours’ annual Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the fire department. Bzdusek shared his passion with a wider audience when he was named a Daily Herald Cook of the Week in 2008.
He said he received advice from a chef on using roasted fresh tomatoes and red pepper, garlic, cream, and Asiago cheese after an inspection at Stoney River Legendary Steaks in Deer Park.
thanks Dan
