Cruz worked for LAFD for 35 years as a Hazmat Specialist, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue, and as the station cook.

When it comes to cooking on a budget, this former firefighter wrote the book, in fact he published two cookbooks that focus on how to cook for 10 to 12 grown men on a skinny budget. 

This recent grandpa's crowning cooking achievement is being a 2x LA Times Firehouse Cookoff finalist. He won it all the second time he went to finals.

Cruz is married with three kids and two grandbabies, and they all love his cooking as well.

His biggest budget tip is to head directly to the meat section at the grocery market and to build a meal around the best deal you can find.