The Three Amigos

Dish: TBD

Chef Gerald Lambert

Company: Garner Foods

Title: SEVP of Operations

What can we find you doing when you're not whipping up a dish for Men Who Cook?

I like to spend my non-working downtime watching television. Focusing on reality shows like Survivor and American Idol. I also love to work in the garden growing my own vegetables to home process. There is something primal and rewarding about making your own food from soil to plate that is fulfilling and shows the enormous amount of work required for farmers to feed everyone. Makes me appreciate food in the grocery store that much more.

Why is it important to you to give back (to the SECU Family House)?

Learning about the many folks experiencing some of the darkest scariest moments of their lives being supported by the SECU Family House in the brightest ways, simply by providing an affordable safe place to take respite, a hot shower and a solid home cooked meal served by friendly caring genuinely sweet people. How could anyone say no to doing something to support such a worthy program?

What was the first thing you remember cooking?

Chef Boyardee pizza in a box

Name a fun fact people may not know about you.

I once ate 10 feet of hot dog at the NC State Fair

Chef Greg Zelazoski

Company: Garner Foods

Title: Maintenance Manager

What can we find you doing when you're not whipping up a dish for Men Who Cook?

I enjoy a relaxing moment at home with my wife and our four Fur Babies; Our prissy Persians, Maribella & Moe and our sassy Shih Tzus, Chester & Brady... I also take every opportunity I have, coming up with excuses to cook a semi-gourmet meal for my family.

Why is it important to you to give back (to the SECU Family House)?

There’s something incredibly fulfilling about supporting a charity and seeing how compassion and generosity can bring comfort, hope, and strength to others. It creates a deep sense of purpose and reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a powerful ripple effect. Supporting organizations like the SECU Family House also sends a strong message that with a little help, heart, and fortitude, we can uplift families and make a real difference in the world around us.

What was the first thing you remember cooking?

My very first memory (maybe, 10 years old), cooking popcorn on the stove. Using an old aluminum 8-quart pot (only used for popcorn), Crisco vegetable oil, Orval Redenbacher popcorn and lots of butter and salt. (I was the family popcorn maker, from that moment forward). I also recall at a very young age, helping my grandmother make Kolaches, which is a Czech pastry made from pillowy, slightly sweet, enriched yeast dough. She filled them with cherry, blueberry, fig and prune preserves. They were pure heaven!

Name a fun fact people may not know about you.

One fun fact people may not know about me is that I was cast as an extra on the television series Royal Pains, where I played the “Top Chef” extra in Season 4, Episodes 1 and 2. One of the highlights of the experience was working alongside Paul Qui, the 2011 Bravo Top Chef winner and James Beard Award recipient. That experience sparked my passion for cooking and inspired me to become more creative in the kitchen.

Today, I channel my creativity to make healthier versions of familiar meals by using simple ingredient swaps, flavorful seasonings, and different cooking methods. This has helped me create dishes that still taste great while being healthier, making meals both enjoyable and good for our overall wellness.

Chef Gabino Solis

Company: Garner Foods

Title: Maintenance Supervisor

What can we find you doing when you're not whipping up a dish for Men Who Cook?

Spending time with my four kids, two grandkids…and my lovely wife, coaching soccer and being the greatest soccer mom ever! My passion is molding my 10-year-old daughter to become the best she can be, hopefully better than Mia Hamm! I also work too much…

Why is it important to you to give back (to the SECU Family House)?

By giving to the SECU Family House is the honor that comes from knowing I can help families during difficult times and make an impact within our community. It also provides a sense of satisfaction knowing that I can make a small contribution that has a huge impact on society.

What was the first thing you remember cooking?

I was a late bloomer, but through watching my mom cook, I used her techniques to create a remarkable, scrambled eggs and chorizo breakfast. The best part was being able to share this recipe with my family.

Name a fun fact people may not know about you.

Early in my career, I worked in a very large sawmill, where everything you touched had the potential of hurting you or worse. One day, during my shift, I encountered danger firsthand, I recognized the particular area that was causing potentially life-threatening injuries. I designed and implemented an industrial anti-kickback “Curtain” for the industrial sawmill trimmer, that eliminated the potential for serious injuries.