Joseph Bonanno

Joseph T. Bonanno is a 21 year veteran firefighter with the New York City Fire Department and served in Engine 319, Ladder 129 and Ladder 152. Joe’s father was a 34 year FDNY veteran firefighter in Engine 88 and Engine 306 as well as his brother Michael, also a firefighter in Engine 315, Engine 216 and Ladder 7. While a firefighter, Joe became certified as a fitness trainer and nutritionist with certifications from New York University, The American Council on Exercise, The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and The International Sports Medicine Association.
Firefighters, while known for bravery, also have a reputation as excellent cooks, preparing and sharing meals while on duty. With his fitness and nutrition background, Joe prepared healthy meals for the firefighters he worked with. After attending a class at The New School in Manhattan, a New York editor from Hearst Publishing approached him about doing a “healthy” firehouse cookbook. Another NYC Firefighter, John Sineno, had published a New York Times best selling “Firehouse” cookbook in 1984.
A proposal and sample recipes were sent to the editor and The Healthy Firehouse Cookbook was published receiving rave reviews throughout the culinary and firefighting community.
To further establish himself in the culinary field, Joe entered and won many “firehouse” cooking contests, including “Americas Greatest Firehouse Chef” The FDNY Bake Off, McIlleheny Tabasco Sauce Cook and Ladder Contest, The International Firefighter Olympic Culinary Division and recently, against some of Florida’s top chefs, won The Florida State Iron Chef Competition at the Florida State Fair.
Joe has appeared several times on “Live with Regis”, Martha Stewart, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Saturday Morning, FOX N.Y. and many others. He has been featured in the New York Times, The Daily News, The NY Post, Eating Well and Bon Appetit. A second book, The Firehouse Grilling Cookbook was then published with more appearances following. Joe and his brother Michael, worked tirelessly during the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero after 9/11/2001 and their stories are contained in the 9/11/2001 FDNY section.
Upon leaving the fire service, Joe received his Culinary/Chefs Degree with honors from The Culinary Academy of Long Island, doing internships at two of Long Islands top restaurants