Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off still going strong in 25th year

Todd Morton says last year was the only rainy day that has befallen the Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off.

One of the few Sarasota events held in between hurricanes Helene and Milton, it drew about half the people that would have been expected that year, he said. 

This year, he's expecting a return to form with the 25th Annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off, to be held Sunday, Oct. 19.

What started years ago in the parking lot of Morton's Gourmet Market with a turnout of around 100 people has now grown to feature blocked-off streets, encompassing around 3,000 attendees, Morton said.

The event has been held every year, except for when it was skipped during COVID-19.

"The setup pretty much stays consistent every year, and it's worked out for us all this time, so we don't feel a need to change a lot of what we do," he said.

The cook-off draws over a dozen fire stations from locations including Sarasota, Cedar Hammock, Venice, Longboat Key, Englewood, and North Port, along with the Sarasota Police Department, who compete for the title of Best Firehouse Chili and Best Booth.

“It’s a great event to support the Firefighters Benevolent Fund and a nice local event for our first responders," said officer Matt Grochowski of the Sarasota Police Department Community Relations Unit. "We’re all on the same team. It’s really a friendly competition.”

Proceeds benefit the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund, a nonprofit organization supporting firefighters and their families in times of need.

Attendees have the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award, while a panel of celebrity judges selects the official winners.

"It's a great group of people to work with," Morton said of the firefighters. "They certainly follow through with their part of the job, which is helping coordinate all the teams to participate in this, and they just come and put their hearts into it."

He says the individual stations and firefighters are always changing the themes of their booths year-to-year; even he doesn't know what to expect yet for 2025. 

Past years have involved creations like a swamp-themed booth with gator meat chili, and chili ice cream served from an igloo booth. 

As in other recent years, Super Bowl champion and former Riverview High offensive lineman David Baas and his family have provided 100 free tasting tickets for first responders, nurses, military members, law enforcement, and teachers, available at the SRQ Vets tent.