Annual chili cook-off helps support local fire departments

Todd Morton, owner of Morton's Gourmet Market, said the question arose of whether the Firehouse Chili Cook-Off could take place this year.

Yet despite the drizzle and upcoming Hurricane Milton, members of the public still turned out for the event, which is held outside the store, benefiting the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

"I've been questioning myself all week. Should we cancel? Should we cancel?" Morton said. "And we didn't, and thank God we didn't, because the (firefighters) love it, and the public loves it. We need that little break in between storms."

The event featured teams of firefighters making their own brands of chili amid themed booths, as well as live music and an expert panel of judges who delivered their verdict on the best chili offerings. 

Morton said although the event is loved by the public, it's also important to the firefighters themselves.

"We don't know who's going to show up today, but half of what we do here, really is for the camaraderie of the firefighters to get together and have that convivial time, and they love it," he said. "They look forward to this every year."

Firefighter and paramedic Miriam Troyer of Station 12 said the cookoff has always been an opportunity for staff at the fire department to have fun working as a team. 

"This is one of my favorite things that the Benevolent Fund does," she said, noting that the team came together to make chili despite the hurricane preventing an elaborate theme for their booth this year.

She also noted the presence of the police department and various fire departments. 

 "People from other departments come together," she said.