Firefighters turn up the heat at chili cook-off

By Ian Swaby
| 3:00 p.m. October 20, 2025

Tara Piedra, and Ariel Betancourt and Michael Matheis of Station 9, prepare chili.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Staff from fire departments including those of Sarasota County, North Port, Englewood, Charlotte County and Venice lined the streets of Southside Village on Oct. 19.

However, one thing all of the firefighters shared in common was familiarity with chili.

"You always have firehouse chili," said Battalion Chief Ryan Jekonski of Sarasota County, one of the event's co-chairs. "That's one of the staples of the fire department, cooking and just getting around the table and having a good time."

He said the firefighters practice throughout the year for the 25th Annual Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off, which also involves votes held held on the best chili and themed booth.

Jekonski said around 7,000 people turned out to enjoy the chili, as well.

The event benefits the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund, which serves the families of firefighters during times of need.

David Truran of North Port Station 85 and Noël Freudenberg offer chili to Brandon English and his wife Jennifer English.

An American flag flies over the event space.

Cooper Kingsley, 10, fires the cannon at Station 1, "Walk the Plank."

Todd Morton, owner of Morton's Gourmet Market, tosses beads from an upper balcony with Sawyer Fleming, 12, his sister Sailor Fleming, 10, and father Eric Fleming.

Ellie Bowlin, 9, Bindi Schield, 9, firefighter/paramedic Tyler Brunton and Tori Schield, 7, prepare chili at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue's tent.

Emma Lacayo, 5, and her brother Aiden Lacayo, 7, talk with the people staffing the Satchel's Last Resort table.

Ellie Bowlin, 9, sets down a tray of chili at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue's tent.

Sarasota firefighter Ryan Gonzalez of Station 1 poses with his mother, Dawn Gonzalez.

Jenn Burns poses with her son Dylan Burns, 2.

Sawyer Sines, 4, and Jack Foster, 2, make their way through the event.

Sue Stephenson, her sister Ruthie Stephenson, Cathy Dahlbert, and Sue Stephenson's sister-in-law Kim Stephenson enjoy the event together.

Jenna Rouse and her friend Mary Lycan enjoy the event together.

Andrew Foskui dances with his friend Leanne Moody.

Station 11 brought a 1776 theme. Front row: Event attendee Brantley Door, 10, Maxx Jakimer and Logan Kramer. Back: Mason Waters, Glenn Galbraith, Mark Courtenay, Ryan Kriegel, Hector Almeida, Jake Shaffer, Johnny Rosenfeldt and Kai Collazo

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.