- February 12, 2025
Loading
Darren Lally of Station 5 stirs a pot of chili.
Photo by Ian SwabyEnglewood firefighters Mason Adkins and James Farley prepare cups of chili.
Photo by Ian SwabyJohana Kuermerle and Timothy Kuermerle, 13, weren't deterred by the rain.
Photo by Ian SwabyHannah Mayo, Courtney Jekonski and North Port Firefighter Zach Jekonski, of Sarasota, enjoyed spending time together at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyEnglewood firefighters Darin Rasmussen, Landon Basore and Falynne Gainvors offered a gruesome surprise, serving chili from inside a severed zombie.
Photo by Ian SwabyMorton's employees Kailey Goodman, Ricardo Morales, Keyshawn Williams, Nicole Greathouse and Kjerstan Chamberlain helped out at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyPatty Wacha of the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund and Madison Brown, 5, dance to the live music.
Photo by Ian SwabyBest friends Alix Urban and Mackenzie Riley dance to the live music.
Photo by Ian SwabyJoey Reyes helps Hunter Bertrand, 12, prepare chili at the Sarasota County stations 6 and 9 booth.
Photo by Ian SwabyWilliam Sterbinsky and Marina LaGasse attended on behalf of Veterans Affairs Law, a vendor at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyVenice firefighter Donnie Morrell, Longboat Key firefighters Zachary Schield and Jamison Urch and Michelle Lowe and Taylor Hall enjoyed living a pirate's life.
Photo by Ian SwabyCups of chili await enjoyment by guests.
Photo by Ian SwabyKeith Misja, Mike Matheis, Stephen Dickmann and Kaleb Smith of Station 12, prepare a pot of chili.
Photo by Ian SwabyPete Tamburen, Scott Serbin, Mark Serbin and Ben Shinrock perform on stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyTodd 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.