Ryan McKay

is an acclaimed firehouse cook who has been seen on both local and national television with appearances on NBC's Food Fighters, has spoken food at FDIC, and can occasionally be seen in local cooking competitions or hosting them.

He has been happily married to his wife of 25 years, Brandy, and father to the most adventurous kids in the world, Alyssa and Ethan. He was born and raised in Orange County, California where he developed an early appreciation for fresh ingredients and Latin food, diverse cultures, and most importantly, surfing. A stint in the sun-filled island chain of Hawaii taught him about ancient Asian cuisine, a healthy respect for the ocean and its plentiful fish, and that No Ka ‘Oi! (Maui is best!). But it wasn't until his decade-long tenure in the South and the green state of Georgia that his palette kicked into gear. Slow-cooked meals, time-honored recipes, and abundant produce ignited an exponential growth of his culinary prowess. 

All this history helped shape the firehouse cook that he has become. 20 years in the firehouse kitchen, first in the California Department of Forestry, Riverside CA, and then currently with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, Marietta GA, crafting full-scale meals for up to 8-12 hungry firefighters every third day has kept him on top of his game. He hones firehouse-tested and approved recipes and techniques for the masses to this day.