Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union Sixth Annual Chili Cook-Off

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For the last six years, teams from around the State of California have come to compete in the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union's Chili Cook-Off, hosted for their members and families.

The 6th Annual Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union Chili Cook-Off was held on November 13, 2010. In their second appearance at the cook-off and for a second year in a row, the Huntington Beach Fire Department won the Team Spirit Award and $250 for the circus acts surrounding their Big Top Chili.

Judges from the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School voted "Ain't No Risk Chili" made by LAFD Risk Management as the Best Darn Chili for the $750 prize, and the Firefighter's Choice Award went to "Smoke Eater Chili" from Compton Fire Station #3 for the $250 prize.

Entertainment included Steve-O the performing bear with "647 pounds of fun," along with the Bearded Lady. "We bring to you the scariest act that we have, the Bearded Lady. She cooks, she cleans, she does not shave," touted the circus emcee. Knives were juggled, there were the all-girl five alarm fashionistas, mission monks from LA, guitar players from Ontario, and pirates all vying for their chili to be voted the "Firefighter's Choice".

"We just ended up docking in the LA River. We've been out plundering and pillaging gathering all of our ingredients across the great seas," explained extremely festive Apparatus Operator for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Dusty Clark, in his pirate gear. However, just like other teams, the ingredients are a closely guarded secret. Firefighter/Paramedic Al Gorme, also with the LAFD, was on "The Rock Chili" team and stated, "We put rock in our chili, that's the secret…hardy rock from Alcatraz. Crunchy, salty, really with a bite."

Mike Mastro, President/CEO of the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, claimed that teams from Northern California, Southern California and Central California joined together for this 6th Annual Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union Chili Cook-off.

One of those teams was the Novato Fire Department, who participated for the first time and arrived with a very special recipe. Captain Doug Fernandez with the Novato Fire Department remarked, "We have three different kinds of steak that we bring in. We brought our smoker 420 miles, we smoked it. We're the only team that uses fresh ingredients. All of our tomatoes are homegrown.  They're all heirloom tomatoes.  We crush them by hand. Our claim to fame is definitely that little bit of smoke."

"The credit union serves firefighters, professional firefighters from throughout the state of California, so it's wonderful to have them down here, join with us, participate and just have a great time," explained Mastro.

One of the activities available to kids was Yogi's Shaky Quakey Schoolhouse. Yogi explained earthquake safety, and the simulator showed what an earthquake feels like. There were many other things to keep children happy including a rock wall and pictures on the CSFA steamer.  

With apparel for sale and raffle and silent auction items, the event also assisted the Fire Family Foundation. The Fire Family Foundation steps in for immediate need, like during the West Fire that burned 30 homes in the Tehachapi area, by providing assistance such as shoes or a motel room for fire victims.

The Foundation assists fire victims and firefighters throughout the state by providing the following:

•    Financial assistance to firefighters, their families and to charities that support the fire community.
•    Financial assistance to fire victims
•    Educational support to firefighters
•    Financial assistance to fire departments

Pat Engel, on the Board of Directors for the Fire Family Foundation said, "The Chili Cook-off gives us an opportunity to come out in front of the public. It gives us an awareness to the community, it gives us an opportunity to raise some money. We're a small, very nimble organization that's able to go out to a fire and help somebody right away. We encourage all fire departments in the state of California to keep our number on their list and give us a call if they need some help." 

This year, the cook-off did not just celebrate the fire family spirit, but also celebrated the credit union's 75th anniversary. Mike Castro added, "We were created, of course, in the depths of the Great Depression, and it's more poignant this year than ever before because of the difficulties that are happening in the economy."

For more information or to become a member of the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union visit www.lafirecu.org.

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Contributors To This Story

Barbara Brooks - Video Report
Anna Sweeney - Camera/Editor
Renee Marquart - Text Story





Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com