San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comFirehouse goes gourmet

Firehouse goes gourmet

Our area firefighters are known for their bravery and dedication. But up in Vista, you'll find one who's turning up the heat in the kitchen.

David Kennedy has only been a firefighter for less than 18 months, but he gained a lot of experience around smoke and flame in his previous career.

"I did a formal apprenticeship when I was about 20 years old, under a well-known corporate chef," David said.

These days, the former executive chef of the Marriott Hotel culls in culinary creations in the kitchen of station 6 in Vista.

"This is a really commercial grade kitchen if you look at it," he said.

Here's where Chef Davey often prepares gourmet meals for his shiftmates, who are often on the run. The chef's special today: pork tenderloin.

"We fileted it out nice and flat, pounded it out. I rolled it in basil and red pepper and some crusted pecans," he said.

Also on the menu today - a poke.

"It's basically a tuna that is diced really small with cucumbers and greens," David explained.

Then Chef Davey adds his secret ingredient - his Asian cilantro dressing.

"The whole idea of this is just give it a kind of Asian flavor," he said.

To complete the luncheon menu, Davey's lightly searing some ahi tuna. The cuisine has definitely changed at Station 6.

"He's taken it up several notches," a shiftmate said.

With a little help from his fellow firefighters, the chef with the badge has created a culinary masterpiece worthy of any gourmet kitchen.

Now we'll just have to see if it tastes just as good cold.