Regular readers will have noticed that I have a soft spot in my heart for firefighters, mostly because I raised one. Partly, though, it’s because they show up to do work worth doing when we most want it done. All of this is a prelude to inviting you to the the Torch Lake Fireman’s Association 3rd Annual Firehouse Chili Cook-off.
Becky Norris and I had a wonderful time at the First Annual Chili Cook-off. As near as I can tell, so did everyone else in the room. It was waaaay better than a political caucus.
- You can come for free.
- You can taste all the different chilis for free and vote for your favorite. There will be drinks, sides and desserts, too.
- No one will yammer at you to vote for Chili X, or make snide remarks about Chili Y.
- There will be youthful firefighters and their families. There will be cute little kids!
- There will be a raffle. The raffle is the one thing that is not free, but based on previous experience, the prizes will be excellent and tickets priced very reasonably.
I don’t see how you can go wrong.
Posted in: Everything else on Torch Lake Views
Torch Lake Views 
shoreacres
March 9, 2016
Wouldn’t you know that the Texan would get drawn to “chili cookoff” like a moth to a flame. My, don’t I wish I could provide a pot of mine. It might not win, but it would have admirers. No beans. There are no beans in Texas chili. However, it is consider acceptable to add some chopped onion, or cheddar on top if you just must.
We’re almost past chili season here. I had my first chicken salad this week. Gazpacho can’t be far behind.
Gerry
March 10, 2016
I would love to transport a pot of your chili to the cookoff. I would definitely put cheddar on top, and possibly sour cream as well. (I grew up in Wisconsin.) Torch Lake firefighters fall on all sides of the recipe debate: beans or none, beef ground or in chunks – there was even a turkey chili last time. Nothing will surprise me, and nothing will disappoint.
It can be chili season all year round Around Here, the bracing effect of a Great Lake after sunset. Besides, we think it repels mosquitoes.
I’ll be having chicken salad later this week, as I am making chicken soup later today. This is the perfect thing to do in Mud Season. Which it is at the moment.
Carsten
March 10, 2016
Mmmm! Chili Tasting. I would love to participate. Perhaps the firefighters have saved a good flame to keep the chilis hot?
When I serve chili for many guests I usually do two versions. Hot and very hot. Leftovers are always the first category.
Suddenly Michigan is far away…
Gerry
March 10, 2016
Rob the Firefighter and the Lady Alicia are fond of Very Hot. I find that my tolerance for heat grows less every year. I still sample it, but in very small bites. Sigh. It is a very big world, but we are not so very far apart.
WOL
March 10, 2016
Firefighters are special people, and a firefighter who can make good chilli is even specialer.
Gerry
March 10, 2016
Following your reasoning, Rob the Firefighter becomes – TA-Da! – the specialist.
WOL
March 11, 2016
Actually, I would have said, the “specialest” as in the most special. We’re coming at it from different directions and it sorta ends up being the same place.
Gerry
March 11, 2016
And you would have been right. I was making a little pun. Rob the Firefighter is something of both.
Deb
March 10, 2016
Thanks for the plug!
Gerry
March 10, 2016
You are very welcome! See you there!
tootlepedal
March 10, 2016
I shall be there in spirit.
Gerry
March 10, 2016
As I will be there in person, I will eat your share of the chili. In honor of your spirit, I’ll buy you a raffle ticket. We’ll see how it does!