Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union Hosts 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off

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The Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union (LAFCU) held their 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center on November 22, 2008. Each year the LAFCU hosts this free event for its members and their families, as a thank you for the work that they do for the fire service.

According to Mike Mastro, the President and CEO of the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, "We do it to support our members and to provide our members' families with a nice day, to have a fire family get-together."

This year 2,300 firefighters and their families attended this event, and 26 teams from fire departments and fire service organizations throughout California competed for five cash prizes in the Chili Cook-Off Contest, some traveling from as far away as Oakland and Milpitas. The top prize in the "Best Darn Chili Awards" was $1000.00. The contest was judged by Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. Judge Jeffrey Garcia said that in evaluating the chili, "Basically we deal with the color, texture, flavor, the heat of the chili, and the appearance of the chili."

In addition to their culinary skills, several teams showed off their creative side, giving their teams names like the crew from LAFD Station 58, who called themselves "Pirate Chili" and dressed for the part. Another colorful team was "Road Kill Chili" from the Glendale Fire Department. Also in attendance was Jerrianne Latham and "Fire Chick Chili", a group of firefighters' wives from the Pasadena Fire Department who were last year's winners. This year, they put a new spin on their award winning chili, adding chicken as their main ingredient.

After gallons of chili were sampled, the winners of the "Best Darn Chili Awards" were announced, and the "Guns and Hoses" team from the Ontario Airport Fire Department won the $1000 Grand Prize. The "Milpitas Fire Fighters" were this year's runners up and $500 winners. "Chili from the Outpost", the team of firefighters from the Pasadena Fire Department, won third place and $250.  The "Firefighters Choice Award" and $250 Prize was given to both the LAFD Arson team and the Milpitas Fire Fighters, who tied for the win.  The Milpitas Firefighters also won the "Team Spirit Award" and another $250.

Other features of this fun family day included a free hot lunch served by the Carl's Jr. Star Diner, free raffles and BINGO, a rock wall climb and 20 tons of snow for the children to play in. Live entertainment was provided by an 80's All Star Band. Wilshire the Fire Dog was also on hand to teach children about fire safety and prevention, and the CSFA Steamer and its mascot, Blaze, were also there, giving attendees the opportunity to take pictures on this historic fire apparatus.

The organizers of this event were pleased with the turnout and look forward to offering this to their members again next year. For further information about the Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, please visit www.lafirecu.org.