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After a chance meeting in Atlantic City, Rocky Fino, author of the book "Will Cook for Sex: A Guys' Guide to Cooking," decided to put his cooking skills to use to benefit people with autism.

Fino, who recently met a representative from Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children at an event in Atlantic City, was busy sautéing shrimp and topping off fingerling potatoes with sour cream and caviar in a demonstration for supporters of CSAAC at the Potomac home of Marla and Steve Garchik.

The fundraiser was one way to pique interest in autism awareness among a wider group of people, according to CSAAC executive director Ian Paregol. Founded in 1979, the group provides housing, employment, and other services to those with autism and hopes to drive home the importance of early intervention in autism treatment.

"This is a different event for us," Paregol said. "It broadens the base and reaches a lot of different folks."

Fino has a personal connection to the cause CSAAC supports — his stepson Gunnar, 11, has autism.

As he cooked Thursday, Fino shared stories about Gunnar with the group.

"I was able to include my personal experience with autism to a crowd that's familiar with it," Fino said.

Fino, a St. Louis resident who learned to cook from his father, intended the book as a culinary guide for men. Food, he says, can be the ultimate way for men to show off their romantic side.

"There are still guys out there who were just raised on their moms cooking, and it comes down to the fact that they truly don't even know which end of the knife to hold," Fino said.

Fino has been offering cooking demonstrations across the country, promoting the book and doling out advice on how men can use meals to impress their mates.

Benefit attendees got the added benefit of a few recipes to take home. "I wanted them to take home the idea that you can do this at home, and you can have a good time," Fino said.