Beth Bales: Honor a Firefighter—Eat Chili

After taking in Geneva’s Festival of the Vine on Sunday, perhaps participants might be in the mood for a chili chaser.

FoxFire restaurant, 17 W. State St., will hold its second annual Five Alarm Chili Cook-off, with chili ready to serve by 4:30 p.m. The cook-off runs through 7:30 p.m., and the restaurant is shutting down normal operations for the event. 

Contestants—last year there were nearly 30—are encouraged to make one large crock of their favorite recipe for judging. There are three categories: best overall, culinary (for chefs and restaurants) and amateurs, which includes your home cooks. 

Along with the various chilis there will be live entertainment, drink specials and raffles. 

After judges have their tastes, participants can dine on chili (while it lasts!) for a $5 donation. People can vote for their favorites for $1. FoxFire will sell its own (not spicy) chili for consumption, for those leery of the firepower of the contestants’ concoctions.

Proceeds benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The event raised nearly $1,000 last year and organizers are hoping to increase that total this year. 

K.C. Gulbro of FoxFire approached the Geneva Fire Department last year with the idea, wanting to do something to benefit firefighters, said Todd Loomis, a lieutenant with the Geneva Fire Department. He’s helping judge entries and will have to critique two entries from co-workers; Deputy Chief Scott Spencer is mixing up a pot, as is Firefighter/Paramedic Glen Baum.

“It’s a good time and a good cause,” Loomis said, noting firefighters from area departments are expected to attend. 

Sunday is, of course, the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in which 343 New York City firefighters died. 

As FoxFire explains on its website, “it’s a great charity and a great way to say ‘thank you’ to your local firefighter.”